Science

Intent

At Butlers Hill Infant School we believe that science is inclusive and fosters curiosity in all children. We want children to experience and observe natural phenomena as well as look more closely at the natural and humanly constructed world around them. Through our science topics we encourage the children to develop their curiosity by encouraging them to ask questions about what they notice, express their opinions and make links with other areas of learning such as Geography, Art, History, PSHE and Maths. At Butlers we aim to teach scientific concepts through the use of first-hand practical experiences, as well as using some appropriate secondary sources, such as books, photographs and videos to support children’s learning. The children have opportunities to develop their understanding of different scientific ideas by using different types of scientific enquiry to answer their own questions. The key stage 1 children have questions to investigate and find the answers for themselves using their working scientific skills. These include observing changes over a period of time, noticing patterns, making links as well as grouping and classifying things. We also aspire the children to be Scientists as they grow by learning about Scientists within each topic and provide them with opportunities and experiences they may never encounter in their childhood to enhance their learning of the subject.

Implementation

To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in science, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the school and aligns to the National Curriculum in England.

Key Stage One children also complete a yearlong study to develop their understanding of scientific concepts such as seasonal changes. The teaching of science at Butlers Hill Infant and Nursery school has an underpinning focus on the working scientifically elements of scientific learning; challenge the children and to encourage development as scientists across Key Stage One.

Science learning at Butlers Hill Infant and Nursery school is enquiry based, providing children with authentic experiences, context and relevance to develop their scientific knowledge. This allows children to make cross-curricular links and see how science relates to the world around them. Our school has a clear focus on the development of speech and language and allowing children to make links and embed key scientific vocabulary.

Impact

At Butlers Hill, We give them experiences such of farms and wildlife parks to further enhance their learning and knowledge and these are different in each year group to provide a wide range of experience. They learn about Scientists in each topic to develop and aspire to careers in the future.

In the EYFS, children explore the different aspects through inputs, play and by visitors coming into school or school trips. We also follow children’s ideas and develop them further when needed

In Key Stage 1 start the lesson with prior knowledge taught to assess learning, they also have before and after unit tests to see what knowledge they have required, any gap or misconceptions that still need addressing throughout the year and the use of the sticky 5 to recap learnt knowledge.

The children in Year 2 have planted seeds and will monitor and write about the changes they see in a diary! They are also being Scientists and investigating what a plant needs to grow by planting seeds in different conditions to find out what happens!

Children in Year 1 are learning about their senses in Science and how we use our senses to learn about the world around us!