Vision:
We live in an increasingly scientific and technological age where children need to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes to prepare them for life in the 21st century. We, at the Federation of Farnham and Rickling, believe that the teaching of Science develops in children an interest and curiosity about the world in which they live. This fosters in them a respect for the environment and provides opportunities to experience the awe and wonder of the natural world around us. Through the framework of the new 2014 National Curriculum there is a new emphasis on the five areas of practical enquiry observing over time, pattern seeking, fair and comparative testing, classifying and research.
Principles:
Aims and Objectives
The Philosophy and Ethos:
We believe Science encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes. Through the programmes of study in the new 2014 National Curriculum children will acquire knowledge and develop these skills throughout their Primary years.
We believe that Science promotes communication in a specific and precise language involving mathematical and logical thinking. It allows children to develop ways of finding out for themselves and gives them practice in problem solving. Children should develop explicit use of language and computer literacy to support their thinking, observations and discoveries in Science.
As their knowledge and understanding increases and they become more proficient in selecting and using scientific equipment and collating and interpreting results they will become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence. Science fosters a healthy curiosity in children about our universe and promotes respect for the living and non living. It allows children to develop original ideas and a questioning attitude.
In Science, pupils are encouraged to be open- minded and to try and make sense of what they see and find out. The main focus of our approach will be through open-ended activities where we encourage children to recognize the need for fair testing and working scientifically to answer questions.
Equal Opportunities:
At Farnham and Rickling Church of England Primary Schools we are committed to providing all children with an equal entitlement to scientific activities and opportunities regardless of race, gender, culture or class as stated under the Equality Act October 2010.
Inclusion:
In school we aim to meet the needs of all our children by differentiation in our Science planning and in providing a variety of approaches to bridge gaps, differentiate and have appropriate challenge in our tasks appropriate to all ability levels. This will enable children with learning and/or physical difficulties to take an active part in scientific learning and practical activities and investigations and to achieve the goals they have been set. Some children will require closer supervision and more adult support to allow them to progress whilst more able children will be extended through differentiated activities. By being given enhancing and enriching activities, more able children will be able to progress to a higher level of knowledge and understanding appropriate to their abilities.
The Federation supports the principles of collaborative learning across the schools to provide extension opportunities by understanding our pupils’ prior learning, providing different tasks and choices, moving from simple to complex ideas, from concrete to abstract ideas and moving from guided to independent tasks. We aim to maintain the close involvement with feeder schools as part of transition.
Assessment and Record Keeping:
Assessment for learning is continuous throughout the planning, teaching and learning cycle. However children are more formally assessed in KS1 and KS2 using a variety of methods:-
Children’s progress is continually monitored and tracked throughout their time at Farnham and Rickling by checking skill progression grids on Target Tracker linking to age expectations
Health and Safety:
All staff should make themselves conversant with the following: In regard to Science work in school all teachers will be conversant with the' "Be Safe" safety booklet. This should be read in conjunction with Code of Practice L222 July 2007. Where appropriate reminders will be given to children about potential hazards and care of the equipment they are using.
Any educational visits will be planned with due regard to the school and appropriate approval of the governing body. All staff should be conversant with Code of Practice L222 for safe handling of materials in Science. Practical activities, events off site in the local area, out of classroom activities in the school grounds should all be risk assessed by the class teacher.
Procedures: This policy should be read in conjunction with the Assessment, Computing, Health and Safety, Marking and RE Policy. Next review: Jan 2018
See the following pages for some recent Science work or check the Class Pages and Events & Projects pages: