Our Science Intent - The Roots of our Science Curriculum

Our science curriculum intent is linked to our school values and sets out the core principles of our curriculum.

Loving:

At Sawtry, we believe in fostering a deep and enduring love for science in every child. Our primary science curriculum is designed to instill a sense of wonder, curiosity, and appreciation for the natural world. We aim to create a learning environment where children develop a profound affection for science, nurturing a lifelong passion for exploration and discovery.

Our commitment to a loving approach in science education means:

• Creating a nurturing and supportive atmosphere where students feel safe to ask questions, express their thoughts, and make mistakes as they explore the world around them.
• Encouraging a love for nature, the environment, and all living creatures through hands-on experiences, nature walks, and outdoor learning opportunities.
• Integrating science with topics that are meaningful and relevant to students' lives, ensuring that they see the real-world applications and implications of science.

Inspirational:

Our primary science curriculum is designed to inspire young minds, sparking their creativity and imagination as they delve into the wonders of the scientific world. We aim to inspire our students to dream big, think critically, and become the innovators of tomorrow.

Our commitment to an inspirational approach in science education means:

• Introducing children to the stories of famous scientists, inventors, and explorers who have shaped our understanding of the world, to show that anyone can make a difference through science.
• Providing opportunities for students to engage in hands-on experiments, collaborative projects, and problem-solving challenges that ignite their curiosity and passion for scientific exploration.
• Inviting guest speakers, scientists, and experts to share their experiences and insights, showing students the diverse and exciting career paths available in the world of science.

Fun:

We firmly believe that learning should be an enjoyable and fun experience. Our primary science curriculum is designed to make science lessons engaging, interactive, and filled with excitement. We strive to create an environment where children look forward to their science classes and embrace learning with enthusiasm.

Our commitment to a fun approach in science education means:

• Incorporating engaging and age-appropriate experiments, hands-on activities, and interactive demonstrations that captivate students' interest and make learning enjoyable.
• Utilizing games, simulations, and multimedia resources to make complex scientific concepts accessible and entertaining.
• Celebrating the joy of discovery and exploration by organizing science weeks, themed events, and science-themed competitions that allow students to showcase their creativity and knowledge.

Educational:

Whilst we value love, inspiration, and fun in science education, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a strong educational foundation. Our primary science curriculum aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and scientific literacy required for their future academic and personal success.

Our commitment to an educational approach in science education means:

• Aligning our curriculum with the National Curriculum standards to ensure that students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for future learning and challenges.
• Teaching scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to help students approach real-world issues with a scientific mindset.
• Regularly assessing students' progress through formative and summative assessments to provide them with constructive feedback and help them reach their full potential.

Working at Greater Depth

Children who are working at Greater Depth in Science, at the end of the EYFS, will be able to:

1. Advanced Observation and Explanation:
   • Can describe in detail the features of their environment and how it changes.
   • Offers explanations for why certain things occur, such as why leaves change colour or why it rains.
2. Complex Enquiry:
   • Asks complex questions about the world around them and shows curiosity about processes they observe.
   • Engages in sustained exploration of objects and materials, demonstrating understanding through play.
3. Conceptual Understanding:
   • Shows a deep understanding of growth, decay, and changes over time.
   • Can talk about the life cycles of plants and animals with accuracy and detail.
4. Scientific Language:
   • Uses a wide range of scientific vocabulary appropriately, e.g., habitats, species, photosynthesis.

Children who are working at Greater Depth in Science, at the end of Year 1, will be able to:

1. Plants:
   • Can identify and describe the structure of a variety of common plants in more detail, including trees, flowers, and their specific parts (roots, stem/trunk, leaves, and flowers).
2. Animals including Humans:
   • Shows detailed understanding of the classification of animals and their habitats.
   • Can explain the human body parts and their functions in greater depth.
3. Everyday Materials:
   • Can compare and group together a variety of everyday materials based on detailed observational characteristics.
   • Explains the properties of materials and why they are used for specific purposes.
4. Seasonal Changes:
   • Describes and explains in depth the changes across the four seasons and how day length varies.
   • Predicts the impact of seasonal changes on the environment and living things.

Children who are working at Greater Depth in Science, at the end of Year 2, will be able to:

1. Living Things and Their Habitats:
   • Can explore and compare the differences between things that are living, dead, and things that have never been alive, with clear reasoning.
   • Describes how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other.
2. Plants:
   • Observes and describes how seeds and bulbs grow into mature plants with a detailed understanding of the process.
   • Explains the requirements for plants to grow and stay healthy with specific examples (water, light, suitable temperature).
3. Animals including Humans:
   • Explains in detail the basic needs of animals, including humans, for survival.
   • Describes the importance for humans of exercise, eating the right amounts of different types of food, and hygiene.
4. Uses of Everyday Materials:
   • Identifies and compares the suitability of a variety of everyday materials for particular uses with thorough explanations.
   • Can explain how the shapes of solid objects made from some materials can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting, and stretching.
5. Scientific Enquiry:
   • Asks and answers more complex questions, using observations and simple tests to gather evidence.
   • Records findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, and tables.
   • Uses results to draw conclusions and suggest improvements or further questions for investigation.