Science at Selwyn
Curriculum intent
At Selwyn, our Science curriculum provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
We aim for children to:
- Learn the essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science.
- Be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena.
- Be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.
- Understand that science as a discipline has built up a trusted body of knowledge and understanding which is relevant and valuable to society.
- Build up an extended specialist vocabulary.
Curriculum implementation
In the Early Years, Science learning is interwoven through different topics and Planned, Purposeful Play.
In Years 1 – 6:
- The curriculum is taught through weekly lessons which develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding
- Lesson plans develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help the children to answer scientific questions about the world around them.
- Opportunities of ‘working scientifically’ are embedded within the content of biology, chemistry and physics, focusing on the key features of scientific enquiry, so that pupils learn to use a variety of approaches to answer relevant scientific questions.
- These types of scientific enquiry include: observing over time; pattern seeking; identifying, classifying and grouping; comparative and fair testing (controlled investigations); and researching using secondary sources.
- Planning includes examples of the key scientific language that children should be familiar with, and use, accurately and precisely.
