Science

 

Science is much more than just a lesson we have to teach. At Beacon Primary school we want our children to be inspired to learn about the world they live in through science. It is important that we encourage them to ask questions, be inquisitive and discover ways to satisfy their curiosity. We aim to encourage and nurture their curiosity and enable them to develop a range of skills that enables them to discover and find the answers for themselves.

 

Science is a 1-hour, weekly timetabled lesson for all pupils from Year 1 to Year 6. Preschool, Nursery and Reception also have a science program they follow linked to the ages and Stages within the Foundation Stage curriculum that encourages their natural curiosity through play and practical exploration.

 

In Early Years, Science is taught through the subject Understanding the World. The children access Science through their play and through adult led activities for a range of topics across the year, as well as in weekly circle time discussions. 

 

Here at Beacon we aim to ensure our Science curriculum teaches an understanding of natural phenomena. It aims to stimulate a child's curiosity in finding out why things happen in the way that they do. Children learn to ask scientific questions and begin to appreciate the way science will affect their future on a personal, national, and global level.We have several programs to deliver the National Curriculum for science, these are  ‘PlanBee’ , Whizz, Pop, Bang, Practical Action and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). 

Each topic working across these schemes of work  offers a sequence of lessons which enables children to ‘work scientifically’ and embed scientific language. Teachers endeavour to include a ‘practical learning element’ within every lesson.

 

The following units are covered in each year group:

 

Key stage 1

 

Lower stage 2

 

Upper stage 2

 

All year groups complete a half-termly scientific investigation linked to their science topic and this allows the children to further develop their practical and written recording skills. These units have also got an English, Maths and Computing element to complete to demonstrate cross curricular links. Writing tasks are drafted in their science books and then their final draft is transferred into their writing books. Maths activities vary from drawing charts and graphs to using sorting diagrams to identify categories. Computing plays a big role in science as we have resources such as cameras, digital thermometers, electric microscopes and the use of laptops and I-Pads to complete research.

 

Science is growing every year at Beacon, new and exciting programs and resources are available for the children to access and use. Every year during Science Week in March, every year group takes part in exciting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) activities, experiments and  investigations. After carrying out their exciting activities, experiments and investigations the children take part in an interactive science assembly - a stimulating and thrilling experience all the children enjoy!

 

Miss D Newton

Science Leader

 

For more information on what your child learns in the weekly Science Lessons, please see the MTP below...

Special Educational Needs

Please see the document on how Beacon ensure all children, including those with SEND and additional needs provide a curriculum which is tailored to all children.