At Molehill Primary Academy, we aim to give every child the very best start to their science education. We ensure that science teaching is vibrant and engaging, to foster curiosity, creativity, enthusiasm and independence. Pupils will gain science capital and develop specific scientific skills and knowledge from a variety of well planned and resourced lessons. Our science curriculum encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes which are all vital elements of everyday life and help us to understand and change the world around us.
Science skills are taught, according to the National Curriculum, through the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme . Throughout the transdisciplinary themes of the International Baccalaureate framework, the children will acquire and develop the key knowledge and skills that has been identified within each unit and across each year group, as well as the application of scientific skills which are needed for taking advantage of opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. The children will develop their IB learner profiles through science opportunities; they will develop an appreciation and awareness of the world from a scientific standpoint and a sense of responsibility regarding the global impact of human activity. Integral to the subject will be an appreciation of the contribution to science from people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds and the opportunities available for careers in science.
The science curriculum is sequentially mapped to make clear the end points that the children are building towards and what they need to know and be able to do to reach those endpoints. We ensure that Working Scientifically skills are built-on and developed throughout children’s time at the school so that they can apply their knowledge of science when using equipment, conducting experiments, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently.
Our curriculum is fully inclusive and every child, regardless of their starting points, can access our science curriculum. We want our pupils to leave us as open-minded, reflective thinkers, whose skills prepare them for a successful transition to their secondary setting, as well-informed, globally aware young adults who will continue to ask questions and be curious about the world around them.
At Molehill we deliver the National Curriculum through the framework of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. We start our science teaching based on what the children already know beginning in the Early Years Foundation Stage Understanding the World area of learning. Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards in science. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following;
- Through our teaching children are encouraged to raise questions and solve problems through creativity, resourcefulness and resilience. This includes pupil led inquiries within the PYP.
- Planning involves teachers creating engaging lessons within the six transdisciplinary themes, where possible, aided by high-quality resources to secure understanding of conceptual knowledge.
- Teachers initially assess and then build upon previous learning and skills development using PLAN Knowledge Matrices, the National Curriculum and Knowledge Pathways. As the children’s knowledge, understanding and scientific skills become further developed, independence is increasingly promoted.
- Teachers use precise and targeted questioning for ongoing assessment of conceptual knowledge and skills, and to identify those children with gaps in learning which they can address.
- Working Scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the children’s school career and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching and knowledge organisers.
- Teachers demonstrate how to use scientific equipment, and Working Scientifically skills in order to embed scientific understanding. They include opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning.
- It is our aim to offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities linked with local schools and organisations to broaden the curriculum. In addition, pupils take part in Science Week and can attend clubs within school. These are purposeful and link with the knowledge being taught in class.
Teachers’ expert assessment, diagnostic assessments and effective real time feedback provide the opportunity for every pupil, regardless of need or background, to reach their full potential. Impact is demonstrated through pupils’ increased enjoyment, motivation and attainment. Through thorough curriculum coverage pupils’ skill development we will ensure the breadth and depth of science knowledge is embedded for all pupils to develop knowledge and the skills needed to be successful in life. At Molehill, children gain an enhanced knowledge and understanding of the relevance of science to our lives globally and will have the skills to think and behave like scientists and engineers. Our children leave us as active learners who are globally aware, open-minded and reflective thinkers. This will prepare them for a successful transition to secondary school to continue their learning journey.