Intent

Learning in Science is underpinned by our Learning Values, the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum/Early Years Foundation Stage and delivered through our school values. From our curriculum, pupils will become educated though experiencing a range of activity areas that:

• prepare them to think and work as real-life scientists
• develop competence in carrying out investigative work
• create resilient learners who are confident to engage collaboratively with others
• encourage healthy debate over open-ended questioning
• develop their global citizenship, by considering ethical and environmental issues

Implementation

• Children participate in high-quality Science lessons that encompass a range of skills from the national curriculum and develop their understanding of the world in which we live
• Teachers use, and adapt, whole school planning and resources to ensure lessons across years show progression.
• Classes follow the Science long term planning to ensure pupils participate in a broad and balance curriculum.
• Children are taught by teachers (and LSA support) with a range of expertise. CPD is continuing throughout the year. Science lead regularly monitors support teachers, HLTAs and TAs to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
• The school adopts an ‘outdoor learning’ ethos through active learning and our F.O.X time curriculum (Fabulous Outdoor Explorer) which encourages children’s engagement and curiosity with the world around them.
• Teachers act as facilitators, giving an emphasis on not ‘getting it right’, but picking apart why things work the way they do.

Impact

The impact of our school Science curriculum can be seen through our planning monitoring, book monitoring, pupil conferencing and assessment. STEM subjects are extremely important to develop a child’s sense of intrigue and investigative skills, which we at Woodlea treasure dearly, and we hope that every child at Woodlea enjoys the practical and theoretical sides to scientific learning.

The successful approach at Woodlea results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world. Our engagement with the local environment ensures that children learn through varied and first hand experiences of the world around them. Frequent, continuous and progressive learning outside the classroom is embedded throughout the science curriculum. Children have the understanding that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity.

They learn from and work with professionals, ensuring access to positive role models within the field of science from the immediate and wider local community. From this exposure to a range of different scientists from various backgrounds, all children feel they are scientists and capable of achieving. Children at Woodlea enjoy science and this results in motivated learners with sound scientific understanding.