Science

At Dunston Hill Community Primary School, we believe that a high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity. All pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes. 

At Dunston Hill, we encourage children to be inquisitive throughout their time at the school and beyond. The science curriculum fosters a healthy curiosity in children about our universe and promotes respect for all living things. Science encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes. Throughout the programmes of study, the children will 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. We ensure that the Working Scientifically skills are built-on and developed throughout children’s time at the school so that they can apply their knowledge of science when using equipment, conducting experiments, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently. The staff at Dunston Hill Community Primary School ensure that all children are exposed to high quality teaching and learning experiences, which allow them to explore their outdoor environment and locality.  Children should be immersed in scientific vocabulary, which aids their knowledge and understanding not only of the area of science they are studying, but of the world around them. 

In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in science, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school.  

Planning for science is a process in which all teachers are involved to ensure that the school gives full coverage of, ‘The National Curriculum programmes of study for Science 2014’ and, ‘Understanding of the World’ in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Science teaching at Dunston Hill involves adapting and extending the curriculum to match the needs and interests of all pupils. Science is taught as discrete units and lessons where needed to ensure coverage. However, staff aim to make links with the wider curriculum where appropriate. In an increasing technological world, computing should be part of science lessons. Our Forest School area should be used regularly to support the teaching of some aspects of the science curriculum. Educational visits and visitors to school should be used to enhance science provision in school. Regular marking and feedback is given to ensure children know how well they have done and what their next steps are. Assessment is ongoing and this is recorded on ‘Educater’ our whole school assessment system.  

The impact and measure of this is to ensure children not only acquire the appropriate age- related knowledge linked to the science curriculum, but also skills which equip them to progress from their starting points, and within their everyday lives. 
All children will have: 

• A wider variety of skills linked to both scientific knowledge and understanding, and scientific enquiry/investigative skills. 
• A richer vocabulary which will enable them to articulate their understanding of taught concepts. 
• High aspirations, which will see them through to further study, work and a successful adult life.