West Leigh Infant School

Intent

At West Leigh Infant School, our intent is to give every child a broad and balanced Science curriculum which enables them to explore and discover the world around them. Our aim is for every child to feel like a Scientist, where they work and think scientifically to develop a secure foundation of skills, knowledge and understanding. Within lessons, all children are encouraged to develop and use a variety of skills including observations and investigations; using a range of scientific vocabulary and definitions to talk about their observations and findings.

This starts in the Early Years Foundation Stage and continues right through to the end of Year 2. We have a coherently planned and sequenced curriculum which has been carefully designed and developed with the need of every child at the centre of what we do. Topics are revisited and developed throughout their time at West Leigh so that these skills and prior knowledge become secure. This increases enthusiasm for topics whilst embedding knowledge into the long-term memory.  Living by the sea and having Belfairs Woods on our doorstep, our curriculum is tailored to make the most of our local environment.

Implementation

In order to implement our intent, we:

• Have an ambitious curriculum, with planning underpinned by the Early Years Foundation Stage (YR) and the National Curriculum (KS1).
• Have planning that is progressive across the key stage and aims to build upon and revisit prior knowledge. It meets the needs of all learners through differentiation and use of questioning and challenge.
• Have knowledge organisers for each unit of work, which outline key knowledge (including vocabulary) all children must master by the end of the unit.
• Arrange local area field trips and visits into school from experts to enhance the learning experience.
• Carry out pre-topic assessments/quizzes to gauge children’s starting points as well as post-topic assessments/quizzes to assess progress.
• Start each individual lesson in KS1 with a prior knowledge recap (eg use of question bags). This supports the learners’ ability to embed learning and knowledge into their long term memories.
• Have Outdoor Science lessons timetabled in Year 2. 
• Have an ‘Investigation Station’ in Early Years, as part of continuous provision.
• Provide appropriate challenge for all children, including the more able; for example by having ‘prove it’ scenarios and using extended questioning for children to apply their learning. We also set the children an independent challenge at the end of each unit where they have the opportunity to independently apply the skills and knowledge they’ve learnt.
• Have high standards of teaching and learning across the school.
• Promote cultural capital across the school. For example, providing opportunities for the children to learn about and research famous Scientists.  
• Take part in Science week as a whole school. 
• Collaborate with the Junior school on joint Science projects
• Have a clear progression of skills, knowledge, and vocabulary that is used to aid planning.
• Provide opportunities for children to work both independently and collaboratively within lessons.
• Use fiction and non-fiction books within lessons, not only to enhance learning and enthusiasm for topics but also to help the children build connections.
• In the Early Years, the learning environment is rich in language to support the children’s learning. In KS1, teachers make use of working walls to support the children’s learning.
• Plan opportunities to teach Science within a wider context alongside other curriculum subjects. For example, within subjects such as PE, PSHE, Maths and English.
• Undertake CPD, where subject leaders can network with other colleagues. Subject leaders then feedback to other staff members across the school during staff meetings/INSET days.
• As subject leaders, we monitor teaching and learning to improve standards and outcomes.

Impact

Through implementing the above, we hope

• All children leave our school with a love of Science and an enquiring mind.
• Children leave our school with a solid foundation of scientific skills, knowledge and subject specific vocabulary ready to be built upon in the Junior school.
• We aim for all children to achieve age related expectations.
• Children will be able to work collaboratively and practically to investigate and experiment
• Staff feel supported and confident to deliver the Science curriculum.

How do we measure impact?

• Staff use regular formative and summative assessments in order to gauge the children’s level of understanding and to ensure that misconceptions are identified and resolved.
• Learning walks (including those with governors, Physical subject team members and external visitors) are carried out.
• Have discussions with pupils about their learning.

Undertake regular book looks (KS1)