Science
Intent
At Redmarley, our intent is to develop curious, resilient, and reflective learners who shine as lights in the world through their scientific understanding. We want the children to be able to see themselves as scientists by asking questions, making discoveries and understanding the world around them.
Through our science curriculum we aim to:
- Spark curiosity and nurture a sense of wonder about the world around us in all children.
- Provide a secure understanding of everyday scientific concepts such as plants, animals, materials, seasonal change, habitats and forces.
- Develop children’s ability to work scientifically - by observing closely, carrying out simple tests, gathering information and explaining what they have found.
- Inspire the children to respect the natural world, persevere in finding answers and build the confidence to achieve their potential.
Implementation
Science is taught through a two-year rolling programme across our mixed-age classes. Our learning is carefully sequenced to ensure that knowledge and skills can be built on over time and provide opportunities for children to revisit and deepen their understanding.
Key features of our approach include:
- A clear progression of scientific vocabulary, supporting children to explain their ideas using accurate and age-appropriate language.
- Use of knowledge organisers and visual prompts to help children remember key learning and make connections.
- We aim to immerse the children wherever possible, whether that’s exploring habitats in our school ground or going on trips to deepen their scientific understanding.
To assess children’s understanding in a meaningful and sometimes practical way, we use TAPS (Teacher Assessment in Primary Science). These short, enquiry-based assessment activities are woven into lessons and help us to evaluate how well the children are applying their knowledge. In addition, we will use knowledge organisers that the children will build on throughout their units of work. These can be used to reactivate knowledge as well as providing a simplified one-page document to support memory and retention in the children.
Impact
Through our science curriculum, children at Redmarley develop:
- A secure understanding of key scientific ideas appropriate to their age.
- Children will grow in confidence when using scientific vocabulary to talk, question, explore and explain what they are observing and investigating.
- Our aim is for the children to show enthusiasm, resilience and independence in exploring the world around them and a readiness to build on their knowledge.
Science learning is monitored through regular formative assessment, use of TAPS enquiry tasks, knowledge organisers, teacher observations and pupil voice. This ensures we have a clear picture of each child’s progress in both scientific knowledge and enquiry.
Science at Redmarley helps children become thoughtful, curious learners - respecting the world around them, persevering in their discoveries, and achieving their full potential as they shine as lights in the world.
Our EYFS Science Overview will be attached shortly.
