Science
Welcome to Science:
Subject coordinators: Mrs Hurst and Mrs Lawson
Contact: Julie.lawson@bramhopeprimaryschool.co.uk
Katie.hurst@bramhopeprimaryschool.co.uk
At Bramhope Primary School, we believe that science promotes children's curiosity. It gives them the opportunity to ask scientific questions about their learning and investigate the unknown and unexpected.
We are delighted to have been awarded the Gilt Primary Science Quality Mark for Subject leadership, teaching and learning.
We have 5 core principles that underpin our learning:
We want children to be inquisitive and to gain scientific knowledge that will prepare them for the next stage of their education. Teaching enables children to develop an understanding of key scientific knowledge building on their previous knowledge and experiences, and encourages the use of scientific vocabulary. Science includes practical investigations, visitors, whole school events and cross curricular links to make it real and relevant for the children. Our children learn about diversity in science and make links in their learning with scientific careers to broaden their understanding of science in the real world.
What makes Science different at Bramhope?
Science at Bramhope reflects our whole school vision and school motto: Belong, Be your best, Be Bramhope.
Our curriculum has been designed with our children and setting in mind. We make use of our vast and varied outdoor areas. We use the wider community to develop our children’s understanding of science capital, drawing on our many parents who have STEM careers. Our children get to experience science hands-on through workshops and residentials.
What are lessons like?
Science is taught at Bramhope as stand-alone lessons. Cross curricular links are made where possible. We endeavour to teach key scientific skills to our children through a knowledge rich program of study, seeking to deepen children’s understanding of the world around them. Teachers are aware of prior and subsequent learning. They create lessons that build upon prior knowledge and skills and contribute to successful learning in future weeks and months. Each science lesson begins in the same way with a focused knowledge and vocabulary retrieval activity. This supports children’s recall of facts and understanding of vocabulary. Every lesson, children discuss our core principles, making links to their learning. In addition, each lesson also has a scientific enquiry focus. Teachers plan activities that develop children’s skills within each focus area.
Children learn through:
- Practical and investigative activities - where independence is developed as they move through school.
- Outdoor learning - where we make use of our fantastic school site and the area in which we live.
- Questioning - children are challenged to deepen their understanding and challenge their findings. Research tasks – secondary sources allow them to answer questions they have and develop their knowledge.
- Visits and visitors – we aim to enrich our curriculum and give children first-hand experiences and the chance to develop their science capital.
Children learn how to become scientists. Teachers ensure that children understand how their lesson fits into science in the wider world and make links with STEM careers when possible.
What do we mean by progress?
Progress in all subjects is measured through a child’s ability to know more, remember more, and explain more. Our curriculum is designed to build on prior knowledge and skills. Our aim is for children to leave Bramhope as independent scientists, ready to tackle the next stage of their education. In science, our long-term plans show what the children will have learnt before. However, teachers also understand that children have prior knowledge from outside of school, and they aim to build upon this. Our long-term plans also show how scientific skills are developed and built upon each year. Children learn new vocabulary and are challenged to remember previously learnt vocabulary each lesson. As they move through school, they will increasingly be able to make links with prior learning. Link to long term plans.
What do we mean by assessment?
Assessment at Bramhope relates to the National Curriculum requirements of both scientific knowledge and the skills of working scientifically.
Assessment takes place in 3 main ways.
Short-term assessments
Each lesson, teachers make informal assessments using a range of activities such as questioning, mind maps, and concept cartoons to assess understanding and identify and correct any misconceptions. This allows teachers to adapt their planning or carry out 1:1 intervention if needed.
Medium-term assessments
At the end of a topic, teachers use topic tests to check children’s understanding. They then use an assessment grid to record if children have achieved each National Curriculum objective. The assessment grids allow teachers to have a clear understanding of which children are working at and towards the expected standard. We use interventions to ensure that we are ‘closing the gap’ if pupils do not meet the expected standard.
Long-term assessments
At the end of each year, reports are sent to parents with a summative judgement for science. Summative judgements are made by the class teacher and based on the data recorded in the assessment grids throughout the year. They are then shared with the child’s teacher for the following year. Statutory assessment in science is submitted by teachers in Year 6, using the information that has been gathered throughout the key stage.
CURRICULUM DOCUMENTS AND useful links
We are proud to hold a Primary Science Quality Mark® Award (PQSM) for our commitment to excellence in science teaching and learning through science subject leadership awarded in September 2022.
