Intent

The national curriculum for science aims to ensure that all pupils:

• develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
• develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
• are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future

We believe that a high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the three core disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science should stimulate a child's natural curiosity and encourage a sense of awe and wonder in the world. We intend to foster a sense of excitement and fascination about science by ensuring our curriculum is as practical and engaging as possible.

Implementation

Science is taught weekly as a double lesson at Bessemer. We ensure our lessons are as practical as possible as we believe this is how children learn best. We are lucky to have our nature garden, and we make use of this during science lessons wherever possible. 

Children focus on working scientifically to answer questions about the world around them. They will carry out investigations in each unit, which will give them the opportunity to ask questions, make predictions, solve problems, collect and analyse data and develop their own explanations and conclusions. Children are often given the opportunity to plan their own enquiries in order to develop these skills further and test their own ideas. They are encouraged to present their data in a variety of ways and where possible, we link our mathematical knowledge to our science lessons by using a range of different charts and graphs. 

It is equally important for children to develop their understanding of core scientific knowledge through the three core subjects of biology, chemistry and physics. They will build up specialist vocabulary throughout each topic as well, which enables them to engage in scientific discussion. 

At the end of each half term, children will produce an extended piece of writing to answer a Big Question, which is an opportunity for them to independently demonstrate the knowledge and understanding they have gained throughout the unit as well as to make use their newly acquired scientific vocabulary. 

Here are some example of end of unit writes:

Please see the links below which show how children’s knowledge and skills should progress from year 1 to year 6.