Science

In Science, we observe, investigate and explore the World.

Welcome to the Science page.  Below you will find details of what we get up to in Science at Burpham Primary School. Scroll down to see pictures of special events, what Science looks like in the classroom and how we record our learning. You will also find our intent, implementation and impact statement together with details about how we follow and apply the National Curriculum for Science across the year groups. Finally, at the end of the page there are some useful website links for you to follow if you would like to support your child's Science learning at home. If you have any questions about Science at Burpham please do e mail the Science subject leader, Helen Curtis. Email: hcurtis@burpham.surrey.sch.uk

News and Special Events

Spotlight on Science in Year 5.

See below what the children have been getting up to as they explore Forces. 

British Science Week 2023 with Tom Holloway and the Gatwick Airport Stem Team

Science in the Classroom and how our learning is recorded!

STEM events and trips!

Science at Burpham

Intent

For all children

• To be taught the essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science as given in the National Curriculum.
• To develop an understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of scientific enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them.
• To be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
• To recognise working scientifically skills and know how to use these in science lessons and any application of science.

For all teachers

• To have well planned lessons to meet objectives and support the range of needs of children within their classes. 
• To have access to engaging and relevant resources to support teaching and assessment.
• To be confident when teaching and assessing science.
• To look for opportunities to provide engaging and relevant science opportunities across the curriculum – not just in science.
• To ask the question: Where/what is the science in that?

Implementation

• We will follow the National Curriculum statutory programmes of study focusing on both the teaching of scientific knowledge and working scientifically skills.
• All staff to have access to Reach Out CPD to support their own understanding of scientific principles and common misconceptions which will need to be addressed.
• Tig-Tag on line resource to be used to support unit planning and to provide ideas and visual aids for lesson activities. Staff encouraged to use Explorify and Primary Science Teaching Trust websites to provide further resources.
• A range of scientific equipment to be available to provide opportunities in every unit for a scientific experiment to be conducted.
• Key vocabulary to be identified for each unit and support given to enable all children to access.
• Questioning to be used by the teacher to elicit children ‘s understanding and stretch them to think deeper.
• Freedom given to children to present their understanding in a way that does not rely on written explanations – such as photos, visual aids, drawings, mind maps, big books, tactile concept maps and drama.
• Opportunities for STEM and cross-curricular projects will take place across the school.

Impact

• Children will:
• Love science lessons!
• Develop an inquisitive and enquiring mind and know how to begin to discover the answers for themselves.
• Appreciate past developments in science and view science knowledge as an on-going process.
• Use appropriate scientific language to explain their knowledge.
• Identify working scientifically skills.
• Ask their own questions about the world.
• Recognise the role and importance of science in today’s world.

At Burpham, we follow the National Curriculum Programme of Study for Science.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/425618/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_Science.pdf

The key aims of the curriculum are to  

• 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.

The focus for every topic is building on a child's prior knowledge and giving children, where ever possible, a hands on, practical experience of the science in action.

Working scientifically skills are key to helping children develop their scientific understanding. In September 2021, we started working with Tom Holloway from the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT). He has been supporting teachers to introduce a common language for working scientifically skills across the school. He has also helped teachers by advising on how to provide opportunities for children to work scientifically within lessons. In November 2021, we began the process to underpin our planning and teaching of Science with the Primary Science Curriculum Progression document put together  by PSTT Fellow Claire Loizos and the PLAN Progression and Knowledge Matrices. This has given teachers a clear focus for each topic area and a detailed map of knowledge and skill progression across the school.  

Supporting your child with Science

 Children love finding out about the world around them and how things work.

Encourage your child to ask questions and work together to find out the answers. Often, research and experimenting leads to even more questions - this is great! 

10 top tips to help your child at home with science can be found on the website naeye. https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/support-science-learning

Other useful websites: 

MetLink - Royal Meteorological Society https://www.metlink.org/experiments/

Tig Tag Science https://www.tigtagworld.com/

Primary Science Teaching Trust https://pstt.org.uk/

Science is Fun https://www.sciencefun.org/kidszone/experiments/