‘A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity…’ (National Curriculum)
In Science, a Roundwood leaver will know that…
…understanding science enables us to fully appreciate the complexities of life and the world around us. They will appreciate that without the interconnectedness of scientific understanding, the challenges facing our planet, both now and in the future, may not be answered. Through opportunities for research, questioning, practical exploration and wider reading, the development of a breadth of scientific knowledge will enable pupils to make links between all aspects of learning.
Science is one of the core subjects, reflecting the fact that an understanding of the world and our relationship with and impact on it, is fundamental to the future. The next generation will need to be equipped with the tools to advance our understanding, while considering the moral, ethical and social implications that this entails.
In Foundation Stage, the children’s innate curiosity is harnessed as they begin to make sense of their environment through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about the world around them in all its wonder.
In Key Stage 1, the children’s natural fascination is developed through topics based on the key themes of plants and animals, seasonal changes and materials. They learn through activities focusing on observation, identification and classification and undertake simple investigations.
In Lower Key Stage 2, the focus broadens and more abstract physical concepts such as light, sound and forces are introduced. Pupils have opportunities to set up simple practical enquiries and are encouraged to measure and record findings accurately and evaluate their evidence.
In Upper Key Stage 2, the introduction of larger themes and bigger ideas prompt the pupils to consider how science and scientific developments have had an impact on the world and continue to affect us all. They are encouraged to explore, question, plan enquiries and draw conclusions, identifying relationships and patterns.
As children move through the school, the curriculum gives pupils a secure understanding of the world around them and enables them to develop a broad range of scientific enquiry skills. These skills are embedded in each topic and many subjects are revisited and further developed in each key stage. The curriculum encourages pupils to think scientifically, gain an understanding of scientific processes and of the uses and implications of science in the wider world. Specialist scientific vocabulary is taught and built on throughout a child’s time at Roundwood. Opportunities for effective questioning to encourage deeper thinking and challenge are exploited.
By the end of their time at Roundwood in science, pupils will demonstrate an interest in and an appreciation of the world around them. They will have a secure understanding of scientific ideas and processes and the skills and confidence to question and investigate scientific ideas. They will also have an awareness of how scientific development and discovery has happened throughout history and in all cultures and how different cultures around the world can have different impacts on the planet.