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Science

Intent 

Whingate Primary School’s science curriculum is designed to teach learners scientific enquiry skills and scientific knowledge through the context of the school’s personalised aims: communication, live healthily, accept and respect, understand the wider world, dream big and explore. Science at Whingate follows the National Curriculum giving our children opportunities to explore their surroundings, communities and wider scientific issues through engaging lessons coupled with exciting opportunities, both theoretical and practical. We recognise the importance of raising children as responsible, curious thinkers who are able to process new information, reflect on it, think critically, and apply knowledge and skills to overcome challenges in our ever-changing world. Having a wider understanding of the three science strands and the ability to become enquiry-based learners will enable our children to have a better understanding of themselves and the wider world they live in as they grow up. In doing this we aim to develop children’s natural curiosity and excitement to pursue scientific enquiry, now and in the future 

Implementation 

Science is taught, along with the other foundation subjects, through a ‘Learning Journey’, which allows the children to learn about a specific area in some depth. We teach science in a planned, coherent way which is sequenced logically, ensuring that children learn and remember a rich body of scientific knowledge and acquire progressive enquiry skills. Scientific skills are covered in depth as part of the learning journey, and when appropriate, in blocks to fully embed the knowledge and skills. In Foundation Stage, we introduce the children to scientific concepts and begin their enquiry through Investigation Stations. In Key Stage 1, the children develop their scientific enquiry skills by asking questions, carrying out investigations and making simple observations. They study living things and their habitats, develop their familiarity with different materials, and look at seasonal changes. In Key Stage 2, we will extend our understanding of living things and their habitats, further develop our understanding of the properties and changes of materials (including the changing states of matter), begin to explore physical processes, and look more closely at human biology. In science, as in other subjects, pupils have wider opportunities to apply and practise their reading, writing and maths skills. 

Impact 

By the end of their primary education at Whingate, our learners will have gained a rich body of scientific knowledge and a wide range of transferable skills, which they can apply to other subjects and contexts. Assessment is ongoing and lessons are adapted based on the children’s needs and gaps in knowledge. This builds a rounded picture of each child as a scientist, using practical opportunities, demonstrations, discussions and presentations. This enables teachers to challenge children in their thinking and learning. We aspire for children to leave Whingate being able to discuss scientific concepts confidently, make links with real-life contexts and to have a desire to further develop their scientific understanding. We want them to be passionate about science and inspired to keep studying beyond school and then make a difference to the world.  

 

Sticky Knowledge Science

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STEM Sentences in Science

This year we are introducing stem sentences as one of the ways to help our children verbalise their understanding. We will be using these in lessons to help the children talk about and discuss their learning. These stem sentences will then be added to working walls as a scaffold.

Working Scientifically at Whingate

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Above is our working scientifically poster. We understand the elements of being a scientist and recognise these through images right from nursery and reception. Everytime we practice a scientifc skill we can colour one of the wedges in. These posters are on our science working walls for us to add to across the year. 

Enquiry Skills

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Enquiry Skills Progression

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Science Investigations

At Whingate we love exploring science practically and linking it to our previous learning. This year there have been some amazing investigations taking place across school. Take a look below at some of our super science.

Investigating sound in Year 4

Exploring growing and plants in Key Stage 1

Year 1 Treet Trail

We welcomed friends and family to Whingate to go on our Tree Trail. The children in Year 1 identified the main trees on the school grounds. They researched the trees and designed a tree trail to take our families and friends on. All of the visitors enjoyed the tree trail so much and they were amazed by the childrens understanding and knowledge of the trees here at Whingate.

Knowledge Organiser Year 1- Humans

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Year 1 Animals

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Year 1- Seasonal Changes- Autumn

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Year 1- Seasonal Changes- Winter

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Knowledge Organiser Year 2- Materials

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Knowledge Organiser- Year 3 Animals Including Humans

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Knowledge Organiser- Year 4 Solids, Liquids and Gases

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Knowledge Organiser- Year 5 Changing Materials

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Knowledge Organiser- Year 6 Electricity

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Knowledge Organiser- Year 6- Living Things

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