'A scientist is not a person who gives the right answers; a scientist is the one who asks the right questions' - Claude Levi-Strauss

'Pupils make good progress in a range of other subjects, such as science and art. They develop skills systematically and attainment in science is consistently above the national average.'

(Inspection Report - May 2019)

Introduction

My name is Mr Hannaford and I am the Science lead in Lydiate Primary and Nursery School. The following information will give you an overview of Science in Lydiate and Primary and Nursery School

Our Curriculum Drivers

Our curriculum is driven around the three principles which make up our school motto: Inspire, Achieve, Prepare for Life. We start every lesson by setting the learning intention, explaining clearly why we are learning a concept, and drawing specifically on previous learning to help us.

The Lydiate Scientist - The Intent

At Lydiate Primary and Nursery School, we believe that the best science teaching fosters and develops pupils’ curiosity in the subject whilst also helping them to fulfil their potential. For our pupils to achieve well in science, they need to acquire the necessary scientific skills and also be able to enjoy the experience of engaging in purposeful scientific enquiry in order to help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them.  We believe our children should be encouraged to remember more, ask and answer their own questions, whilst working collaboratively. We encourage our children to lead their own investigations.

The national curriculum (2014) for science aims to ensure that all pupils:

• develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
• 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
• are equipped with the scientific skills required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future. We understand that it is important for lessons to have a skills-based focus, and that the knowledge can be taught through this

"There are strengths in the teaching of some other subjects, such as science and art, which ensure that pupils’ learning builds progressively on their understanding." (OFSTED Report, June 2019).

Ensuring Our Pupils Achieve - The Implementation

Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within the school setting and reinforce an expectation that all pupils are capable of achieving high standards in science. Children are encouraged to apply their knowledge and skills outside of school when exploring the world. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following;

• Science will be taught in planned units which aim to progress the knowledge of each child. Each unit is planned by the class teacher, with a knowledge and skills-based approach. This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a greater depth and retention of knowledge and skills.
• Within our planning, we take great consideration of where the children have come from and what knowledge and skills they can build upon. We present our children with the opportunities to investigate their own questions and use their knowledge to discover the answers for themselves. Children are encouraged to think for themselves and given chances to use their scientific skills and research to solve problems. This curiosity is an important feature within our school as we are constantly encouraging our children to think, ‘What if…’. Planning involves teachers creating engaging and memorable lessons with a great emphasis on the children’s learning and being able to recall knowledge. Teachers use precise questioning in class to formatively assess conceptual knowledge and skills, and test pupils regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning, so that all pupils can be challenged.
• Using the Lancashire Progression Document (KLIPs), we build upon the knowledge and skill development of the previous years. As the children’s knowledge and understanding increases, and they become more proficient in selecting, using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results, they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence.
• Working Scientifically skills are embedded into units to ensure these skills are being developed throughout each department within our school. New vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced direct teaching with lessons. These are presented in ways which allow the children to retain the key information. They are revisited and assessed throughout the children’s time in our school, in-keeping with our units of work.
• Teachers model how to use scientific equipment, and the various Working Scientifically skills in order to embed scientific understanding. Teachers find opportunities for the children to use this equipment to solve any of their own enquiries. Whenever possible, teachers plan to utilise outdoor areas and workshops with experts to develop the children’s understanding of their surroundings.
• Children are offered a wide range of extra-curricular activities, visits, trips and visitors (including any parents who science within the field of science) to complement and broaden our curriculum. These are always purposeful and link with the knowledge and skills being taught within a specific unit.
• Consistent events, such as Science Week or project days, such as Forest School, allow all pupils to come off-timetable, to provide broader provision and the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills. These events include families and the wider community, whenever possible.

Preparing Our Pupils for Life - The Impact

The positive approach at Lydiate Primary and Nursery School results in our children being immersed in fun, engaging, memorable, high-quality science education, that provides each child with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world. Our willingness to engage with the local environment ensures that children learn and develop skills through varied and first hand experiences of the world around them. Opportunities for learning outside the classroom are aspects of learning that our staff strive to implement for our children within the science curriculum. Through various workshops, trips and interactions with experts and local organisations, children have the understanding that science has changed our lives and shaped the world that we live in today. Children are constantly reminded about the importance of science and the impact it has on all of us. Children learn the possibilities for careers in science, as a result of many discussions we have with them about how a modern day scientists looks and which career choices have elements of science in them. Children are encouraged to think about members of their families and explore how they can be a scientist as they may use elements of science in their work. As a result of this exposure to a range of different scientists from various backgrounds, all children feel they are scientists and capable of achieving within this subject. Children at Lydiate Primary and Nursery School truly enjoy science and this results in motivated learners with a secure scientific understanding.

Equal Opportunities and Inclusion

At Lydiate Primary and Nursery School we are committed to providing all children with an equal entitlement to scientific activities and opportunities regardless of race, gender, culture or class.At Lydiate Primary and Nursery School we are committed to providing all children with an equal entitlement to scientific activities and opportunities regardless of race, gender, culture or class.

In school we aim to meet the needs of all our children by adapting our science planning and in providing a variety of approaches and tasks appropriate to ability levels. This involves providing opportunities for SEND children to complete their own projects, with support, to develop speech and language skills, as well as scientific skills and knowledge. This will enable children with learning and/or physical difficulties to take an active part in scientific learning and practical activities and investigations and to achieve the goals they have been set. Some children will require closer supervision and more adult support to allow them to progress whilst more-able children will be extended through differentiated activities. By being given enhancing and enriching activities, more-able children will be able to progress to a higher level of knowledge and understanding appropriate to their abilities. Teachers strive to ensure that all their pupils are motivated learners, regardless of their circumstances, ensuring that optimum progress is made throughout each part of the lesson.

In 2022, our school was awarded the PSQM for our work in Science. This award highlights the hard work and passion given to science by our school community. Our teaching and learning in science is of a high standard. Our staff and children are very proud of this award.