The 2014 National Curriculum for Science aims to ensure that all children:

• develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding 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
• are equipped with the scientific skills required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future. We understand that it is important for lessons to have a skills-based focus, and that the knowledge can be taught through this

At Plaxtol Primary School, we encourage children to be inquisitive, resilient problem solvers throughout their time at the school and beyond. The Science curriculum fosters a healthy curiosity in children about our universe and promotes respect for the living and non-living.

At Plaxtol Primary School, within the Early Years, children access Science by exploring the world around them, during their learning through play. In Key Stages 1 and 2, we follow the Kent Primary Science Scheme of Work on a planned two-year cycle, to take account of our mixed age classes which ensures progression across the school. The children acquire and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit and across each year group, as well as the application of scientific skills.  Knowledge organisers are used at the start of each unit and are constantly revisited to ensure the embedding of key vocabulary and concepts.

We ensure that the Working Scientifically skills are built upon and developed throughout children’s time at the school so that they can apply and re-apply their knowledge of science. This can be seen when using equipment, conducting experiments, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently whilst, at the same time, continuing to ask questions.

Outdoor Learning is central to many units of Science such as plants, habitats and animals including humans. We are extremely lucky as many areas of our school support the curriculum such as the wildlife garden, field, chicken coup and the school pond. These facilities enable us to provide the children with real-life, hands-on experiences that link to all areas of the curriculum. 

Science working walls within the classroom support learning on a daily basis, reinforcing key scientific vocabulary. These are updated regularly to reflect the change in topics. Recording of science is mainly evidenced within books, which are used on a two-year cycle to demonstrate coverage.