Intent:

In science, we aim to enthuse the children with a love of and curiosity for natural phenomena and events around them. We want our children to explore their surroundings with confidence in order that they develop and deepen their understanding of the world in which they live, and are to explain what they see occurring and predict how things will behave and analyse causes. We aim for our children to have high aspirations for themselves and teach them about diversity in science including important scientists whose discoveries have impacted on the way we live. We believe it is important that our pupils understand how major scientific ideas and specific scientists (e.g. Beatrix Potter) in the past have contributed toward societal change – impacting on industry, medicine, business and improving quality of life. We aim to instil in children a sense of global and local citizenship through understanding the value and importance of making responsible, informed and sustainable lifestyle choices that minimise our impact on the environment.

Implementation:

Science at Hawkshead Esthwaite Primary School, develops scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Our curriculum is a carefully planned and progressive sequence of topics which accommodates our mixed age class structures. Scientific skills are embedded in the content of each sequence of lessons, which includes opportunities to ask questions, observe, investigate, compare, record and conclude. Communication is key, the children are constantly immersed in subject specific language to enable development and confidence in using scientific vocabulary to articulate concepts clearly. We like our lessons to be practical, hands on, full of fun and discovery. To help facilitate this, we often use outdoor learning for creative activities such as drawing and sketching, which are basic skills in science that are encouraged.

Impact:

By having an inclusive, progressive, creative and inspiring curriculum with real-life links, we ensure children have a meaningful understanding of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. This approach results in a fun, engaging, high-quality Science education, that provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world. This is evident in pupils’ work, photos, displays and discussions with the pupils. Through a variety of well-designed and well delivered Science lessons, workshops, trips and interactions with experts outside school, children have the understanding that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity. Having so many enriching experiences to support our science curriculum allows children to see things in context which promotes and fosters an emotional connection between themselves and the natural environment.

Enrichment:

Hawkshead Esthwaite School has a wonderful provision called Fletchers Field. This site is used to enrich the science curriculum in so many ways. The field itself has its own woodland, orchard, pond, base camp, raised beds (fruit, herbs and vegetables), greenhouse, wild flower meadow, willow bird observation screen, tree nursery, charcoal pit, wood store and tool shed. We also visit museums and local places of scientific interest such as
Gary Primrose at Yewfield, Nibthwaite Farm, Haybridge nature reserve, the Science museum in both Manchester and London. We have been involved with a community project called Fantastic Fungi that linked science, music, history and art. We are inspired by people working in scientific professions such as Beatrix Potter; veterinary care; and orchard management. We mark special days such as World Science Week, Earth Day, STEM week and British Science week with discreet activities, assemblies and relevant visitors to help enhance these occasions.

Science Progression Map

Science Policy

Science Long Term Plan