Science

The person responsible for developing Science at our school is Mrs J Mahar.

S​cience Currriculum Intent

At Yew Tree Primary Academy, we recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life. As one of the core subjects taught in Primary Schools, we give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires. For our pupils to achieve well in science, they need to acquire the necessary scientific knowledge and also be able to enjoy the experience of engaging and purposeful scientific enquiry in order to help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them.

The National Curriculum 2014 states why we teach science in schools:

‘A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.....through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encourage to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of curiosity about natural phenomena.’

At Yew Tree Primary Academy, in conjunction with the aims of the National Curriculum, our Science teaching offers opportunities for children to:

• Expand every pupils’ knowledge and conceptual understanding of the world around them through the specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics;
• Develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of Science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them;
• Be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future;
• Develop the essential scientific enquiry skills to deepen their scientific knowledge;
• Understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave and analyse causes.
• Develop the use of scientific language;
• Use a range of methods to communicate their scientific information and present it in a systematic, scientific manner, including ICT, diagrams, graphs and charts;
• Develop a respect for the materials and equipment they handle with regard to their own, and other children’s safety;
• Develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment of scientific learning and discovery.

Science Curriculum Implementation

The National Curriculum will provide a structure and skill development for the science curriculum being taught throughout the school.

At Yew Tree Primary Academy, children have weekly lessons in Science throughout Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. In EYFS, science is taught through the children learning about the world around them in their learning through play. In our DSP, children follow an individual CAP alongside the National Curriculum, if relevant. Additional opportunities are provided in Science for all children, such as Science Weeks, Crest Investigators, visitors to school (Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, RSPB, United Utilities, PDSA), Science Club and educational visits linked to the science curriculum, such as Big Bang Fair and Ness Botanic Gardens.

We intend to provide all children regardless of ethnic origin, gender, class, aptitude or disability, with a broad and balance science curriculum.

We endeavour to ensure that the Science curriculum we provide will give children the confidence and motivation to continue to further develop their skills into the next stage of their education and life experiences.