Science
"A new command I give you: love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another," (John 13:34).
Inspired by Jesus’ example, the Trent school community aims to
serve one another in love.
We show kindness to others because God has shown us great kindness.
We live thankful lives because every good thing comes from God.
And we persevere, not giving up, because God is our helper.
Our thankfulness can lead us to understand our responsibility in taking care of the creation entrusted to us.
Our teaching of Physics unlocks the awe and wonder of God’s world and the phenomena within His design, which extends through our incredible solar system. Chemistry enables us to examine the building blocks of how God’s world functions. We develop a thankfulness for the world God has created and the inspirational scientists who have served their communities and through their faith to extend our knowledge, appreciation and development of the world around us. We endeavour to persevere in our own scientific enquiries.
Intended Curriculum
At Trent, we believe that good science education “helps children to make sense of the world around them through investigations and interactions in which they are personally involved.”
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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, and 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.
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We aim to ensure that all pupils:
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develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
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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.
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are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
Curriculum Delivery
Teachers aim for high standards of teaching and learning in school by implementing a curriculum that provides opportunities for children to develop their curiosity and embed their knowledge.
Our lessons are planned according to National Curriculum Programmes of Study (2014) and Understanding the World for EYFS. Our lessons are adapted to take into account individual needs of the pupils in each class in order to extend the learning of all pupils. Science is taught in discrete lessons in order to ensure coverage and understanding. However, where possible cross-curricular links are made where possible to ensure pupils can recognise the impact of science on other areas of the curriculum.
We ensure that all children are taught with rich learning experiences by:
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using our ‘Trent Style’ learning approach that is applied across all subjects.
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encouraging enquiry though our science big questions, with mini-questions throughout the topic.
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enriching pupil vocabulary by providing children with opportunities to explore key words at home and during lessons.
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developing staff CPD through training and using knowledge organisers to support deeper learning for our pupils.
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enabling and fostering the children’s natural curiosity by providing children with the opportunity to ask their own questions and carefully planned questioning from teachers.
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exciting, promoting and sustaining children’s interest by exploring pupil questions in Summer Term and encouraging pupil discovery through practical and theoretical investigation.
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enabling children to reflect on and evaluate their learning by regularly reviewing the skills that pupils have learnt and the knowledge they have gained after every lesson.
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promoting problem solving, creativity and communication within the classroom through a wide range of investigations.
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regular monitoring of learning to show pupil understanding of concepts and scientific skills.
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Fast attaining pupils are further challenged through problem solving or reasoning questions.
Impact
Through our intent and implementation of Science, the pupils at Trent Primary School develop a rich and deep subject knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics. They are able to explore the breadth and depth of the National Curriculum by the time they complete Year 6 through our coherent and progressive framework of learning. The children are able to build on their understanding of previous topics to value what they have learnt and see its relevance to their past, present and future. This is evident through their ‘What I have learnt’ and ‘What I already know’ sections on their cover pages.
Our pupils experience the challenge and enjoyment of learning through carrying out different investigations which allows them to not only develop scientific skills, but also to develop and demonstrate their creativity. Science Week is a time where children area able to develop their skills in Science through different contexts and apply their learning in unfamiliar contexts.
Science naturally enables and fosters children’s curiosity, but at Trent we have enhanced this through the exploration of ‘Big Questions’. This allows the children to focus their ideas and express their predictions and understanding of what the answers could be. Additionally, at the start of every topic we encourage the children to record their prior learning in order to help them consolidate what they already know and then use these to ask questions about what they would like to find out about a topic.
We encourage enrichment opportunities beyond the classroom by going on trips, where appropriate, to give children first-hand experience of Science. We also have a Gardening Club, which runs at lunchtime; Environmental Council which meet throughout the year and the Green Team who are a pupil initiated group looking to care for mini-beasts in our school environment. Where possible, we promote Science activities at home for example, competitions and events in science such as Science Week.
How science is taught at Trent
Pupils will be involved in a variety of project throughout the school including:
Year 5
Working Scientifically
Animals, including humans
Materials
All Living Things
Forces
Earth and Space
Year 6
Working Scientifically
Animals, including humans
All Living Things
Light
Evolution and Inheritance
Electricity
Year 1
Working scientifically
Plants
Animals, including humans
Materials
Seasonal Changes
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Year 2
Working Scientifically
Plants
Animals, including humans
Materials
Habitats
Sound
Year 3
Working scientifically
Plants
Animals, including humans
Rocks
Light
Forces and Magnets
Year 4
Working Scientifically
Animals, including humans
All Living Things
States of Matter
Sound
Electricity