Science

Science Lead - Mrs C Kiely & Mrs S Whiteley

At Lowerplace Primary School, science lessons focus on developing curiosity and knowledge of the world around us, as well as developing the necessary skills that enable children work in a scientific way. Children are naturally curious and science aims to nurture this curiosity: allowing them to ask their own questions, make observations of physical phenomena and develop the skills to carry out meaningful enquiry. Working scientifically is embedded within the teaching of science, focussing on key features of scientific enquiry (observing over time, pattern seeking, identifying, classifying and grouping, comparative and fair testing and researching using secondary sources). Through children’s experiences of science at Lowerplace Primary School they will come to understand how science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity.

We have designed a science curriculum that aims to build substantive knowledge and skills progressively throughout each year (linked to the science units outlined as part of the National Primary Science Curriculum). The curriculum is designed to build on the solid foundation developed in Early Years Foundation Stage, linked to their understanding of the world.

In EYFS, children learn:

• to explore the natural world around them
• to describe what they can see, hear and feel when outside
• to understand how the change of seasons effects the natural world
• to recognise that some environments may be different to ones in which they live
• to make observations and draw pictures of animals and plants

In Key Stage 1, children learn:

• to identify different materials and understand how they are used
• to identify different plants and trees and understand what they need to grow
• the names of different animal groups and where they live
• to understand the differences between the four seasons
• the names of the different body parts as well as how we keep our body healthy
• to understand about forces are (intro)

In Key Stage 2, children learn:

• about the skeleton, muscles as well as the roles of the organs in the body
• how rocks and fossils are formed
• to understand how light travels and how it enables us to see
• how plants reproduce and identify the parts inside a flower
• to classify animals based on the group they belong to or the habitat they live in
• about states of matter and reversible and irreversible changes
• to understand how electricity works and the components of an electrical circuit
• about the human life cycle as well as the life cycles of plants and other animals
• how forces impact the world around us
• what is in the Solar System and what causes night and day
• to understand what sound is and how we hear

Lowerplace Science Annual Curriculum Overview

Lowerplace Science Substantive Knowledge Progression Map

Lowerplace Science Disciplinary Knowledge Progression Map

At Lowerplace Primary School, there is a wide range of science equipment/resources available to support children to develop their skills of scientific enquiry and work in a practical scientific way – particularly through the use of the school’s Phiz Lab. The Phiz Lab is a dedicated science classroom, where children engage in meaningful, practical enquiry. All children have access to laboratory coats and goggles and get the chance to really see themselves as a scientist. The school has established links with the Ogden Trust, the University of Manchester (Science and Engineering Education Research and Innovation Hub – SEERIH) and the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT).