Welcome to Harlands Community
Primary & Nursery School
Science
The National Curriculum for Science
PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_Science.pdfScience Intent
At Harlands Primary School, we believe in the importance of Science in primary education and we aim to encourage children to develop their scientific thinking and knowledge through hands on exploration and experimentation with children beginning to understand science capital. Where relevant science skills and knowledge is linked to the term’s theme to give, a real relevance to the children’s learning. This cohesive approach leads children to enjoy new scientific discoveries, inspiring them and equipping them with the skills to shape how we live in our rapidly changing society.
Science Principles
As a school, we have written a set of principles for the children to follow and develop in their science lessons. These are:
Learning is engaging, exciting and fun.
Child led questioning is encouraged.
It is practical and is evidenced in creative ways.
Includes the use of scientific language and conventions.
It takes account of prior knowledge and learning.
The learning includes a variety of scientific enquiry types.
It is relevant as they can make links and place it within their learning.
Science at Home
Science doesn’t just have to happen in the classroom at school. There are plenty of activities your children can engage with at home.
Try these YouTube channels for aspiring scientists:
SciShowKids
https://www.youtube.com/user/scishowkids
National Geographic kids
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXVCgDuD_QCkI7gTKU7-tpg
Easy experiments you can support your children with at home:
BirdBox Project
Some of the children have been learning about birds and their habitats. We decided to have a closer look.
Progression in Science
Nursery Science
Reception Science
Ask questions
Talk about what is being done in order to answer their questions
Make observations
Talk about why things happen
Talk about changes
Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants;
Know some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class;
Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter.
Year 1 Science
Year 2 Science
Ask simple questions
Recognise that questions can be answered in different ways
Perform simple tests
Use observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
Carry out pre-planned investigations – with support
Year 3 Science
Year 4 Science
Ask relevant questions
Start to make predictions
Use different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions
Set up simple practical enquiries
Set up simple comparative tests
Make sensible predictions
Suggest possible further questions
Use straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions and support their findings
Set up fair tests
Identify differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes
Year 5 Science
Year 6 Science
Use test results to make appropriate, linked predictions and ask further questions
Recognise when other sources of information (secondary sources) will help answer questions that cannot be answered through practical investigations
Plan different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions – including recognising and controlling variables where necessary
Suggest sensible improvements to experiments
Make predictions for new values
Use a range of sources to support own evidence and talk about how scientific ideas have developed over time
Evaluate the reliability of their methods and suggest improvements
Identify scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments
Set up further comparative and fair tests in response to results