Science
Science at Warren Dell Primary School
Intent, Implementation, and Impact
Intent
At Warren Dell Primary School, we believe that Science is a fundamental subject that nurtures curiosity, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of the world around us. Our science curriculum is designed to inspire children by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and scientific enquiry methods necessary to explore and understand key scientific concepts.
We aim to:
- Develop children’s scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding
- Encourage curiosity and enquiry, fostering a sense of wonder about the natural world.
- Equip pupils with the scientific skills needed to work systematically, think critically, and solve problems through hands-on, investigative learning.
- Promote cross-curricular links, embedding science in real-world contexts and other subjects, including maths, computing, and geography.
- Ensure that science is accessible to all learners, including those with SEND, by providing appropriate scaffolding and adaptations.
- Develop children’s ability to work scientifically, encouraging them to ask questions, make predictions, plan investigations, collect and analyse data, and draw conclusions.
- Provide pupils with an awareness of the importance of science in everyday life, including links to careers and STEM industries.
Implementation
Science at Warren Dell Primary School is taught through a well-sequenced curriculum that builds upon prior learning and develops a progressive depth of understanding. Our approach includes:
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
- Science in EYFS is integrated into the Understanding the World area of learning. Children explore the world through play-based experiences, hands-on investigations, and questioning.
- Activities include observing changes, exploring materials, understanding seasonal changes, and developing a sense of awe and wonder about the world.
- Outdoor learning plays a key role, allowing children to investigate nature, explore habitats, and engage in sensory experiences.
Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2
- Science is taught weekly, ensuring a balance of knowledge acquisition and investigative skills.
- Lessons follow a structured progression, aligning with the National Curriculum and ensuring knowledge and skills build over time.
- A strong emphasis is placed on ‘Working Scientifically’, ensuring pupils develop enquiry skills such as observing over time, pattern-seeking, fair testing, classifying and identifying, and using secondary sources of information – this is clearly identified in each lesson
- A mention of ‘science careers’, ensuring pupils know the relevance of the topic to life skills.
- ‘Remembering more’, is a start to each lesson, ensuring previous learning has been embedded
- Investigative and hands-on learning is at the heart of our science lessons. Pupils engage in practical activities that allow them to ask questions, make predictions, test hypotheses, collect data, and evaluate results.
- Cross-curricular links help deepen understanding; for example, using maths for data collection, English for scientific reporting, and computing for research and data analysis.
- Use of high-quality resources and outdoor learning enhances engagement, including our school garden, local parks, and interactive science equipment.
- STEM enrichment activities such as Science Week, external workshops, and visits from STEM professionals broaden pupils’ experiences.
Inclusivity and Challenge
- Differentiation ensures that all pupils, including those with SEND and EAL, can access and succeed in science lessons.
- Greater depth challenges are embedded to stretch high-attaining pupils through extended investigations and independent enquiry.
Impact
The impact of our science curriculum is evident in the enthusiasm, engagement, and progress of our pupils. We measure this through:
- Pupil Voice: Children can confidently articulate their learning, demonstrate enthusiasm for science, explain key concepts using scientific vocabulary and talk about science related careers
- Assessment for Learning: Teachers use formative assessment through questioning, discussions, and mini plenaries to check understanding and adapt teaching accordingly.
- Summative Assessments: At the beginning and end of each unit, pupils complete the ‘wheel’ that shows their start and end points in their learning which can help to assess knowledge and working scientifically skills.
- Book Looks and Learning Walks: Science books and displays show clear progression in knowledge, skills, and enquiry methods.
- Practical Evidence: Pupils take part in high-quality practical investigations, demonstrating their ability to work scientifically.
- End of Key Stage Outcomes: Pupils leave Warren Dell with a secure foundation in scientific knowledge and skills, ready for the next stage of their education.
Through our science curriculum, children develop a lifelong love of learning, curiosity about the world, and confidence in their ability to investigate and solve problems scientifically. By the time they leave Warren Dell, they are well-prepared to engage with science in secondary school and beyond, equipped with the knowledge and skills to become the scientists, engineers, and innovators of the future.