Science at West Wycombe School

Intent:

West Wycombe School's science curriculum aims to give all children a strong understanding of the world around them while acquiring specific skills and knowledge to help them think and work scientifically, gain an understanding of scientific processes, and understand the uses and implications of Science today and for the future.

Implementation:

At West Wycombe School, pupils will develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry, and physics. They will be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of Science today and in the future.

Scientific enquiry skills are embedded in each lesson the children study, and these topics are revisited and developed throughout their time at school. Topics, such as Plants, are taught in Key Stage One and studied again in further detail in Key Stage Two. This model allows children to build upon their prior knowledge, whilst developing skills and knowledge, and increases their enthusiasm for the topics whilst embedding procedural knowledge into long-term memory.

All children, including those in Reception, are encouraged to develop and use various skills, including observations, planning, and investigations. They are also encouraged to question the world around them and become independent learners who explore possible answers to their scientific-based questions. Specialist vocabulary for topics is taught and built up, and effective questioning to communicate ideas is encouraged. Concepts taught are reinforced by focusing on the key features of scientific enquiry so that pupils learn to use a variety of approaches to answer relevant scientific questions.

In Reception, children explore the natural world through hands-on activities and observations, laying the foundation for more structured learning in Key Stages 1 and 2. When the children start their learning journey in Year 1, and as they progress to Year 6, Science is taught weekly, and we adapt plans from Kapow to support our lessons to ensure sequencing and progression. Different ‘working scientifically’ skills are always at the heart of our lessons, ensuring children develop these key skills.

In addition, inspiring science weeks and themed days are planned to nurture children’s love of science and expose them to a wide range of experiences. Similarly, school visits are planned throughout the year related to current science topics, to enhance teaching and learning experiences. 

Impact:

Pupils at West Wycombe School will develop an understanding of Science's nature, processes, and methods through different types of science enquiries that will help them answer scientific questions about the world around them. These types of scientific enquiry include observing over time, pattern-seeking, identifying, classifying and grouping, comparative and fair testing (controlled investigations), and researching using secondary sources.

Pupils will develop spoken language cognitively, socially and linguistically. The quality and variety of language pupils hear and speak are key factors in developing their scientific vocabulary and articulating scientific concepts clearly and precisely. This begins in Reception, where children are encouraged to describe their observations and ask questions about the natural world, and continues throughout their schooling, ensuring they leave with a robust scientific understanding and the ability to communicate their ideas effectively.

Links Between Topics: As students’ progress from Reception to Year 6, there are clear links and a natural progression in the complexity of topics:

• Seasonal Changes: Starting in Reception with recognising signs of different seasons, this knowledge is built upon in Year 1 with a focus on weather patterns and further explored in Year 4 with the water cycle.

• Plant Biology: Basic plant identification in Year 1 is expanded in Year 3 with a deeper understanding of plant functions and parts, and further explored in Year 5 when they dissect plants.

• Animal Biology: Initial learning about body parts and senses in Year 1 progresses to understanding habitats and food chains in Year 2, and life cycles in Year 5.

• Materials and States of Matter: Reception introduces different materials and their properties, which is expanded in Year 4 with states of matter and in Year 5 with properties and changes of materials.

• Forces and Electricity: Year 3 introduces forces and magnets, which is built upon in Year 4 with simple circuits, and further developed in Year 6 with more complex electrical circuits.

• Earth and Space: Understanding features of the Earth in Reception is expanded in Year 5 with a study of the solar system and planetary movements.

• Environmental Care: The emphasis on environmental care in Reception is a theme that runs throughout the curriculum, with topics like the water cycle in Year 4 and pollution in Reception, fostering a continuous awareness of environmental issues.

This structured approach ensures that students develop a strong foundation in science, preparing them for further education and fostering a lifelong interest in the subject.