At Derry Hill Primary School we are passionate about science. The children’s passion and enthusiasm during a well-planned, curated and delivered science lesson is incredibly powerful and we aim to achieve that with our approach to science teaching.

We do this by providing our children with the opportunity to learn how the scientific world around us ‘works’ in a meaningful and practical way.

Please see our resources below for a deeper insight into how this is broken down over the children's time at Derry Hill. 

Intent 

The scientific area of learning is focused on developing three areas: children’s skills, knowledge and their understanding. It is crucial that all our children are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science today, and for the future, whilst having the skills and understanding to apply that knowledge.

We aim to build a curriculum which empowers our children to become independent and scientific thinkers who ask questions and seek answers.  We aim to constantly build on their natural enthusiasm and curiosity about their world, providing them with stimulating experiences that allow them to link their classroom learning to everyday life.

The aims of science are to enable children to:

• Ask and answer scientific questions;
• Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding.
• Develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them.
• Develop the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science today, and for the future.

Implementation 

At Derry Hill Primary School we utilise ‘Developing Experts’ platform to ensure our curriculum, planning and teaching is up-to-date with current research and guidance and filled with quality resources that enhance the learning of science for all our children. Our curriculum design gives opportunity for children to develop their scientific knowledge, enhance their enquiry and practical skills and understand ‘science’ in our modern world with links to future careers. 

Curriculum planning in science is carried out in two phases (long-term and medium-term). The long-term plan works on a yearly cycle and maps the scientific topics studied in each term and are shown on the schools’ curriculum plans. Topics are taught in a sequence that enables the best opportunity for scientific enquiries to be achieved at appropriate times throughout the year. For example, plant topics taught in the spring.

Impact 

Our science curriculum at Derry Hill is well-thought-out and designed to demonstrate progression. It provides our children with the foundations and knowledge needed to understand their world. As a result, children will:

• Achieve age-related expectations in science at the end of their cohort year. In addition to attainment, they will:
• Retain knowledge that is pertinent to science in a real-life context.
• Question ideas and reflect on knowledge.
• Develop a rich vocabulary which will enable to articulate their understanding of taught concepts.
• Work collaboratively and practically to investigate and experiment.
• Explain the processes they have taken and be able to reason scientifically.
• Have high aspirations which will see them through to further study, work and a successful adult life.
• Impact will be measured through half-term assessments as well as work produced, pupil feedback and a tangible enthusiasm for science.

If you would like to find out more about our science curriculum, please feel free to speak to Mr Heavey, who is the subject leader for science across school.