Science Curriculum Mapplewell Primary School - Progression of knowledge and skills

Science is taught as a phased curriculum and lessons are taught on a weekly basis. Since Science is a core subject, this ensures it is given the time to be covered with sufficient depth. The purpose for this is to ensure that all of the key concepts are covered and children are given the opportunity to revisit prior learning.

Underpinned by the accelerated learning approach to teaching and learning, the Mapplewell curriculum follows the progressive documentation to support progression of substantive content and concepts. The content of the curriculum has been carefully selected and well-sequenced, so a child should know more and is given the opportunity to revisit knowledge and concepts. We aim to deepen children's understand over time.

The science curriculum we offer is designed to meet the needs of all our pupils by providing purposeful contexts which engage our children. It is rich, varied, imaginative and ambitious and meets the needs of individual learners but can easily be adapted for pupils with additional needs. Through regular assessment, tasks are matched to the ability of each child through differentiated activities, providing a level of challenge that is stimulating for pupils.

The EYFS curriculum comes from the Development Matters document. Science experiences are within the Understand the world area of learning with a particular focus on the natural world.

Science Coverage

At Mapplewell, we have collated various substantive concepts into phases to support teachers when planning scientific units. Teachers might cover a range of key concepts during the study of a key focus in biology, chemistry or physics and some of these will be revisited as children move through each phase.

Science is taught discretely in three categories: biology, chemistry and physics. It is delivered to raise interest, self-esteem, creativity and aspirations of all our children. The science curriculum is rich and varied, which provides our pupils with a board range of skills.

The Accelerated Learning Cycle, based on the work of Alastair Smith, is applied in all lessons. It stems from the idea of a supportive and challenging learning environment. The cycle has active engagement through multi-sensory learning, encourages the demonstrating understanding of learning in a variety of ways and the consolidation of knowing.

Formative assessment is ongoing throughout each lesson. It judges progress and enables teachers to make flexible adaptions to their planned teaching.

Through this regular ongoing assessment, tasks are matched to the ability of each pupil through differentiated activities, adult support, providing a level of challenge that is stimulating for pupils and questioning skills.

Insights is used as a summative assessment to assess foundation subjects. Alongside the analysis of data from insights, the curriculum document for science is regularly highlighted to identify any gaps or misconceptions to be addressed. This allows children to acquire complex skills that depends on the fundamentals of their prior knowledge in a well-designed curriculum sequence.

Science Curriculum Progression in Early Years

Science (Biology) - Progressive Curriculum document example