What is the intent of Science at Mandeville Primary School?
At Mandeville Primary School, we recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life. Science at Mandeville fosters the natural curiosity of every child and encourages respect for living organisms and the physical environment.
The aim for our Science curriculum is to ensure that pupils:
Working scientifically skills are an integral part of each unit. The skills are built on and developed so pupils can plan enquiries, use equipment, conduct experiments, build arguments and explain concepts confidently and continue to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings. Pupils build up a specialist vocabulary, as well as apply their mathematical knowledge to Science. Pupils will have the understanding that science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity.
How is Science organised at Mandeville Primary School?
At Mandeville, there is appropriate sequencing of content to build pupils’ understanding of scientific concepts, following the Herts for Learning Science progression documents, with repetition of key areas.
EYFS | Plants Animals including humans Living things and their habitats Materials Light and sound Forces Electricity |
Year 1
| Plants: In the garden Animals including humans: Different Animals Living Things and their Habitats: Seasonal Changes Materials: Everyday Materials |
Year 2
| Plants: Growing Plants Animals including humans: Growth and Survival Living Things and their Habitats: Habitats Materials: Use of Everyday Materials |
Year 3
| Plants: Investigating Plants Animals including humans: Healthy Eating and Healthy Bodies Materials: Rocks, Fossils and Soil Light and Sound: Light and Shadows Forces: Forces and Magnets |
Year 4
| Animals including humans: Teeth and Digestion Living Things and their Habitats: Classification and interdependence Materials: Solids, Liquids and Gases Light and Sound: Sound and Vibrations Electricity: Circuits and Components |
Year 5
| Animals including humans: Human Life Cycles Living Things and their Habitats: Life Cycles Materials: Changes of Materials Forces: Earth and Space Forces: Forces |
Year 6
| Animals including humans: Human and Health Living Things and their Habitats: Classification Living Things and their Habitats: Evolution and Inheritance Light and Sound: Light Electricity: Electricity |
Our Science curriculum is highly practical, allowing children to explore new ideas and concepts and answer questions through a wide variety of hands on investigations that relate to the world around us.
We use the Herts for Learning ‘Working Scientifically Wheel’, which highlights the key areas of investigatory science. This enables children to identify the specific skills that they are using with each enquiry. We use an investigation planning proforma. This is introduced from EYFS and used throughout all year groups, encouraging greater independence as the children journey through school. When investigating, children are encouraged to ask questions that challenge their understanding of the world and are willing to take risks and suggest improvements when searching for the answers.
To complement our science lessons, we offer a variety of extracurricular activities such as trips, clubs, assemblies and visits from science ambassadors. Science Week is celebrated across the school and this allows pupils the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to broader contexts and further enhances their Science learning.