Science at Ripley Infant School
Mrs Pywell is our Science lead
At our school science is taught in a fun, engaging way. Our pupils learn scientific knowledge that will underpin their own lines of inquiry. Children have opportunities to explore scientific environments both independently and guided by enthusiastic teachers.
Science is taught explicitly for a minimum of one hour each week. Each week, the children will build their knowledge and vocabulary, giving them the firm foundations needed to carry out their own lines of inquiry. Each half term, children will carry out a scientific investigation that will further build on this knowledge and understanding. Each classroom has a science working wall and an area in which they can explore a scientific concept within their continuous provision. The classrooms all have a newly developed outdoor learning area, with opportunities provided for children to explore the natural world, including being able to grow their own fruit and vegetables throughout the year.
We endeavor to develop excited young scientists who are keen and interested in the world around them and how it works.
Curriculum Intent
At Ripley Infant School, we know that science knowledge and understanding is developed over many years. Our curriculum explicitly teaches concepts that underpin scientific enquiry, ensuring children can learn, remember and retain knowledge in their long term memory. We ensure that our curriculum is coherently sequenced to build on pupil’s prior knowledge. In order to succeed, children need to be secure in their substantive knowledge before learning new concepts or following new lines of enquiry.
We have agreed key knowledge that must be retained in each year group in order for children to successfully move on and learn new information the year after. Appropriate assessments are carried out to cover each strand to assess children’s retention of the knowledge. This information is then used to plan accordingly. Lesson planning across school is coherent and builds on conceptual knowledge and the understanding of the concepts behind vocabulary.
Children have a natural curiosity for everything which happens in the world around them and through science we hope to make a valuable contribution to their understanding. Science is a practical way of finding answers to questions we may ask about the world around us.
Our curriculum
Our science planning is underpinned by the National Curriculum; however, children are encouraged to explore their own interests beyond this. Staff plan using our school’s Science progression map which clearly outlines the EYFS and National Curriculum expectations, as well as the expected vocabulary and key facts we feel need to be explicitly taught in order for the children to succeed. Staff endeavor to ensure that their science lessons are engaging, interesting and will help children develop the right knowledge, understanding and enjoyment in science.
British Science Week
Each year we participate in British Science Week as a whole school and the children have thoroughly enjoyed the different themes. In past years, pupils have designed and created inventions, set off rockets and more! Children have also had opportunities to record their data like real scientists. We encourage parents at home to also participate in British Science Week, and we have seen many interesting science experiments that have enthused the staff, parents and pupils alike.
Our Science non-negotiables can be found here
Our Science Progression document can be viewed here