Science

At Grangetown Primary School, Science is a fundamental part of our curriculum. Teachers are aware that Science is happening everywhere and utilise opportunities to challenge children and encourage them to ask questions, think logically and discuss findings. From mixing water and powder paint in Early Years to choosing a range of balanced food groups in the dinner hall, Science flows throughout the day-to-day experiences in GPS as well as in science lessons. Science at Grangetown is practical and offers many opportunities for children to carry out frequent enquiries, developing knowledge, resilience and problem-solving. Children learn about how science has adapted the world that we live in today and develop a sense of pride for their heritage. As a school, we are aware of how vital STEM careers are to economic growth. Through workshops, trips, research and visitors, children are driven to learn about STEM careers and are inspired think about how their future could help to form a better world and how they can become budding Scientists.

Intent, Implementation, Impact

Intent

At Grangetown Primary School we believe that children are naturally inquisitive and we encourage this through our science curriculum. We intend to equip children with a high-quality science education, through the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics to provide the foundation for understanding the world. The children will be taught aspects of knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Scientific knowledge will underpin lessons to ensure children develop a secure understanding of the concepts taught. Through enquiry and investigations, children will explore the conceptual understanding and develop a sense of excitement about natural phenomena. Lessons will inspire the children’s interest and spark curious minds which develop a lifelong love of learning of science at GPS and beyond. Our curriculum will equip the children to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

Implementation

At Grangetown we have an enquiry based approach which allows children to be active learners. We ensure the curriculum is relevant, purposeful and matched to the learners’ needs and abilities. For each year group, we have identified the knowledge and skills we want the children to have as well as the relevant vocabulary. Content has been arranged in a carefully sequenced way, to ensure that what is taught builds upon prior learning. Children’s learning of a curriculum area is extended through carefully planned visits and visitors as well as themed days. Science work is recorded in the children’s science books and through pupil voice on Seesaw but links can also be found in English books, sketch books and in ICT.

Impact

Through engaging, exciting and challenging lessons, our children develop an interest in science and enjoy sharing their knowledge both in class and often as a home based project. The children develop a sense of awe and wonder and are keen to question the world they live in. They enjoy and understand the links made with other subjects. At school we measure the impact of science through the children’s ability to demonstrate their skills; through talking to the children about their science work; observations of lessons; end of unit tests and monitoring of science books by the science subject leader. Assessments highlight the impact that learning has on the scientific knowledge, technical vocabulary and skills of the children.

Our Science Policy

Our Science policy is here.

Curriculum Map for Science

Our Science Subject Map provides an overview of what we teach across EYFS, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

Long Term Planning

Our Long Term Planning for Science, across Key Stages 1 & 2, is here.

Medium Term Planning

Science in Action!

Science Week 2022

Children at GPS celebrated their annual Science Week in March this year. The theme for the week was 'growing' and as always, the children and staff got stuck right into the week and the theme. Over the week, children participated in a range of lessons, trips and workshops to really explore the theme.

Children in EYFS visited the farm to learn about the baby animals and how they are growing. They even got to feed the baby lambs. Children in Y2 planted bulbs and seeds and observed them grow. In Y3, children explored the soil in school to find out what was growing inside. They even measured the length of worms that were growing in the soil. Many classes across school utilised our fantastic outdoor area and searched for minibeasts and observed the plants that were growing there.

We also had a range of visitors in school across the week. In KS1, children were visited by Mallory Smith who is a children's author and has written the book 'Maloula the Mermaid' which is a story all about keeping the oceans clean to protect the wildlife. KS2 were visited by Mr Graham from Southmoor who delivered a range of science experiments for children to watch and join in with. In Y6, children visited Bede College and were immersed in their 360 degree classroom, learning about oceans and the human body.

Children in Y1-Y6 got the opportunity to participate in exciting workshops with Technology Tom. Tom showed the children a range of Science experiments that they got to help with. Children were engrossed in the activities, asking many questions and being keen to join in. There were many gasps of amazement that could be heard across the hall as Tom impressed the children with the power of Science!