Science Policy

Philosophy Statement

Aims

Time Allocation

Lesson Structure

Planning

Equal Opportunities

Resources

Assessment & Record Keeping

Monitoring and Evaluation

Safety

Philosophy Statement

At Warren we believe that acquiring scientific skills and knowledge is the key to children's understanding of the natural and technological world around them.

Children's natural curiosity will be utilised in developing the necessary skills of inquiry and questioning which are needed to become effective scientists and to begin to develop a responsible attitude towards the environment.

Science encompasses observation, hypothesis, experimentation, problem solving, research and interpretation. These important skills will form the basis of our science teaching and learning. Back to top

Aims

We aim to:
- develop curiosity into skills of enquiry
- develop skills in hypothesising, experimenting, problem solving and the interpretation and application of knowledge gained
- use a variety of inquiry to enhance knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the science curriculum
- develop use of reasoning skills and scientific vocabulary to explain scientific concepts
- develop a responsible attitude to the natural world and the environment
- recognise opportunities for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Back to top

Time Allocation

Science is taught through the topic units as part of the integrated curriculum but at Key Stage 1 all classes will devote at least one and a half hours per week to the teaching of Science or equivalent. At Key Stage 2 at least two hours per week will be allocated to Science or equivalent. Back to top

Lesson Structure

Lessons at both Key Stages will have elements of direct teaching, practical activity and research with an opportunity to summarise, draw conclusions, establish scientific facts and apply these to wider situations. As the children progress through the school there will be a greater emphasis on their own planning and implementation of scientific investigations. Investigations, whether whole class, group or individual will be carried out at least two or three times every half-term. Wherever possible, ICT should be integrated into the teaching of science. Back to top

Planning

Science is taught as part of the integrated curriculum topics and where possible will have links to other areas. Lessons are planned using the Schemes of Work and with reference to the National Curriculum programmes of study. Back to top

Equal Opportunities

Teachers will ensure that every learner has equal access to the Science curriculum. See Equal Opportunities Policy for further details. Back to top

Resources

Labelled boxes of resources relevant to elements of the programmes of study are stored centrally in the Media Room. Boxes may be borrowed when beginning a topic and should be returned at its close. Any loss/breakage of equipment or resource needs should be reported to the Science Co-ordinator. Back to top

Assessment & Record Keeping

Information about each child's level of knowledge, skills and understanding is required to enable appropriate provision of the curriculum. Teachers will use a range of strategies to assess children's work, including observation, children's own recordings, listening and questioning. Weekly informal assessment will inform future planning.

KS1 Teacher assessment at the end of each term to assess unit of work taught. Additionally a Sc1 comment is entered for each child. All of this assessment is recorded in the red record folder.

At the end of Year 2, each individual child's level is assessed by Teacher Assessment for reporting in SATs results.

KS2 Teacher's own assessment and/or 'Star Science' assessment sheets at the end of each unit of work taught. Additionally a Sc1 comment is entered for each child. All of this assessment is recorded in the red record folder.

In the summer term Year 5 children will also take the end of Key Stage 2 Science (SAT) paper from the previous year.

At the end of the year all teachers will level their children overall in science and give a points equivalent be it from TA (FS, KS1 and lower KS2) or test (Y5/6). Back to top

Monitoring and Evaluation

The effectiveness of Science is monitored through:
- using co-ordinator's non-contact time to work with children and teachers
- discussing planning, both formally and informally with teachers in year groups
- by the co-ordinator collecting and moderating samples of children's work in collaboration with other teachers Back to top

Safety

Our policy follows the 'Be Safe' document produced by ASE. Each member of staff, including LSAs, is asked to read and sign the document. A copy is kept in the resource room. Back to top