Science is simply a word we use to describe a method of organising our curiosity.
Tim Minchin
Developing Saltburn children
Science is everywhere, in everything we do and everything we experience. As a school, Saltburn Primary School recognises how the study of Science will develop a curiosity in our children which will lead to the development of key life skills including the ability to communicate effectively and form their own opinions, organisational skills and the ability to focus. Through hands on learning and investigation, our children will grow to develop inquisitive minds and learn how to independently problem solve. With help from the natural environment we aim to provide our children with the foundations to better understand the world around them.
Curriculum Aims
Through robust teaching practices, we aim to develop core areas for our children as they engage in the study of science with enthusiasm and an open mind:
| To develop pupils’ interest and enjoyment of, science. By building on children’s curiosity, the science curriculum will help to instil a positive attitude towards science in pupils. | To deliver all the requirements of the national curriculum in relation to science and covering major scientific concepts.
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| To develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment of scientific learning and discovery by ensuring all science lessons are purposeful, accurate and imaginative | To be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future. |
| To develop pupils’ ability to pose questions, investigate these using correct techniques, accurately record their findings using appropriate scientific language and analyse their results. | To make pupils aware of and alert to links between science and other school subjects, as well as their lives more generally. |
Local context
Our school is situated in Saltburn, a town of history, culture and vast scientific opportunities. Our children are growing up in a region which offers natural resources daily, encouraging curiosity in their day-to-day lives. From the local beaches to the wide range of woodland, Saltburn and its neighbouring towns offer amazing opportunities for our children to explore and investigate their natural environment. Saltburn and the surrounding areas, have immense community spirit. Situated around the areas are local museums, allowing a detailed insight of the inheritance of the local communities and the history of each town.
In relation to the teaching of Science, our local area offers much to be desired. Saltburn is fortunate to home one of the last remaining funicular cliff lifts in the U.K. Using cables to travel provides opportunity to explore forces and magnets. As an industrial town, Redcar is the home to power plants and windfarms allowing our children to develop their knowledge and understanding of the transmission of and renewable energy. As a region, we are surrounded by many rural towns for children to visit and explore natural habitats. We are privileged to be situated close to the North Yorkshire Moors, where opportunities for exploring and investigating are endless. Furthermore, we have facilities available for our children to visit when learning more specifically about animals, i.e. Kirkletham Owl Centre, reptile houses and many more.
How will we enrich cultural capital?
We recognise that, while all children equally deserve the very best start in life, not all children receive the same opportunities as their peers around the country. Levels of disadvantage fluctuate from one school or class to another, and these differences can affect a child’s life chances in so many ways. We believe that it is our duty to enrich the lives of all children wherever possible to diminish this difference.
In the study of Science, our local area provides countless opportunities for hands on learning and for children to develop their investigational skills.
- Opportunities to visit the natural environments i.e. the beach, woodlands, valley gardens.
- Explore energy in our local area through visits to wind farms.
- Share resources from local nature reserves.
- Invite visitors into school who can share their knowledge of local area.
- Invite visitors who can provide real-life, exciting learning experiences i.e. animals.
- Plan visits to local museums provide first hand experiences.
- Plan school trips which will enhance classroom learning.
- Celebrating national days i.e Science week.
- Loaning resources and toolkits to support practical learning.
- STEM Ambassador visits to discuss careers in science.
- Invite visitors from the local community to discuss careers in science.
Progression from EYFS
Science at Foundation Stage is introduced indirectly through activities that encourage children to explore, problem solve, observe, predict, think, make decisions and talk about the world around them. They will explore creatures, people, plants and objects in their natural environment. They will observe and manipulate objects and materials to identify differences and similarities, developing the skills needed when working scientifically.
The National Curriculum
Our Science Curriculum
Overview of Scientific Enquiry
