Science
At Killinghall CE Primary School, we see the teaching of science as a vital way for the children to understand the world in which they live. Our children will begin to appreciate the way science will affect their future on a personal, national and global level. Science in our school is about developing children’s ideas and ways of working that enable them to make sense of the world in which they live through investigation, as well as using and applying process skills.
Pupils learn specific scientific vocabulary so that they can accurately explain their understanding of the concepts studied. Knowledge organisers, which have the key knowledge and scientific vocabulary we want the children to retain, are used for each unit of work. Regular revision of vocabulary and low-stakes quizzes are used to ensure that this knowledge is being secured.
We believe that exciting and engaging practical investigations are key to deepening our children’s scientific knowledge, skills and conceptual understanding. We ensure that all children are exposed to various ways of working scientifically whilst introducing and developing scientific concepts. They become familiar with five types of scientific enquiry: observing over time; pattern seeking; identifying, classifying and grouping; comparative and fair testing; and researching using secondary sources.
Scientific ideas are applied to real life problems including those that require aspects of design and technology to solve them. We make links to our school and local environment where we can within our science curriculum, along with cross curricular links. Science is taught discretely, but links are made to other areas of the curriculum wherever possible. Visits out of school are encourage to develop learning and enquiry skills.