Science

What is the intent of Science?

At Cranfield Church of England Academy it is our scientific goal to provide the foundations for understanding the world and to encourage children to develop a relentless curiosity and excitement about natural phenomena.

How is Science implemented in our school? 

Teachers at Cranfield Church of England Academy will:

• Plan and teach an ambitious and progressive curriculum across the school, to ensure that scientific skills are built upon and mastered within a creative curriculum context.
• Provide quality-first Teaching to build good foundations for learning and extend children’s Scientific knowledge.
• Ensure that children are challenged in their scientific learning and encouraged to persevere to reach their potential.
• Use clear differentiation and regular assessments to guide scientific challenges at the correct level for each child.
• Make Science lessons engaging, inspiring and enjoyable, giving the children confidence in their abilities.
• Develop their understanding of scientific ideas by using different types of scientific enquiry to answer their own questions, including observing changes over a period of time, noticing patterns, grouping and classifying things, carrying out simple comparative tests, and finding things out using secondary sources of information.
• Support all pupils to read and spell scientific vocabulary at a level consistent with their increasing word reading and spelling knowledge.
• Enable pupils to broaden their scientific view of the world around them through exploring, talking about, testing and developing ideas about everyday phenomena and the relationships between living things and familiar environments, and by beginning to develop their ideas about functions, relationships and interactions.

How is Science assessed in our school? 

Working Scientifically at Key Stage One:

During Years One and Two, pupils will be taught to use and achieve the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills through the teaching of the Key Stage One Science Programmes of Study. Our children will not be expected to cover each aspect for every area of study, but there mastery of each skill is assessed during lessons and at the end of each term. 

Key Stage One:

• I can ask simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways.
• I can observe closely, using simple equipment.
• I can perform simple tests.
• I can identify and classify.
• I can use my observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
• I can gather and record data to help me in answering questions.

Working Scientifically at Key Stage Two:

During Years One and Two, pupils will be taught to use and achieve the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills through the teaching of the Key Stage One Science Programmes of Study. Our children will not be expected to cover each aspect for every area of study, but there mastery of each skill is assessed during lessons and at the end of each term.

Key Stage Two:

• I can ask relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them.
• I can set up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests.
• I can make systematic and careful observations.
• I can take accurate measurements using standard units and a range of equipment (thermometers, data loggers etc.).
• I can gather, record classify and present data in a variety of ways to help me answer questions.
• I can record my findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts and tables.
• I can report on my findings with written and oral explanations, displays, presentations or results with conclusions.
• I can use my results to draw simple conclusions.
• I can make predictions for new values based on a previous conclusion.
• I can suggest improvements to experiments and investigations I have conducted.
• I can identify differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes.
• I can use straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support my findings.

Assessment of Science

Assessment takes place by:

In EYFS, opportunity for Science learning is everywhere. Adults record children’s ‘Understanding of the World’ learning on Learning Book to evidence their progress throughout the year.
Providing high quality, consistent feedback which will be verbal, written and pictorial appropriate to the written task and the age and ability of the individual child to ensure rapid progress.
Utilising the Science Stepping Stones to monitor and assess progress and attainment and to allow for continuity and progression.
Termly Science data tracks progress and next steps.

How do we engage parents and celebrate Science? 

• Parent evenings provide an opportunity to discuss children’s progress and next steps in Science.
• A detailed end of year report will describe progress and acquired skills in Science.
• Parents are invited to be a part of their child’s science learning journey through a range of science tasks in the Learning at Home menu’s.
• Parents are invited to embrace additional learning opportunities during Science week –eg through poster competitions.
• Classroom displays will feature Science learning.
• Stickers and notes home are used to celebrate success.
• Head teacher Awards are presented in whole school assemblies to recognise excellence across the curriculum, including Science, at which parents are invited to attend.
• Each year, we participate in National Science Week.

How can I support my child's Science? 

We promote and encourage parents to make use of the below websites:

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/z6svr82 - A fantastic website that covers all units of work, very animated and engaging for Key Stage 1 pupils.
  • http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/z2pfb9q - A fantastic website that covers all units of work, very animated and engaging for Key Stage 2 pupils.
  • http://www.abpischools.org.uk/page/active_science.cfm - A range of interactive activities for the young scientists for 5-11.
  • http://www.planet-science.com - Great resources to help Key Stage 2 pupils become scientific at home.
  • http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc-home/vtc-ks1-home.htm - Go into resources/key stage/ science lesson plans and hands on games and activities (All subject areas covered on this website.
  • https://bpes.bp.com/usc-primary – Cool creations more suited to Key Stage 2.
  • http://www.channel4learning.com/apps26/learning/microsites/E/essentials/science/index.shtml - Science Essentials from 4 Learning has information, clip art and worksheets for Key Stage 2 science.
  • http://resources.hwb.wales.gov.uk/VTC/push_pull/eng/Introduction/default.htm - Forces for Key Stage 2.
  • http://powerup.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/under-11.aspx - Electricity for Key Stage 2.
  • http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/educators/teaching_resources.aspx - National science museum in London.
  • https://explorify.wellcome.ac.uk/en/activities - Easy to register, just type in your email address.  Short anytime activities to develop critical thinking skills. 
  • https://www.science-sparks.com/ - fun, inspiring and creative Science experiments for all ages!

  • https://wowscience.co.uk/ - A great website covering all the best primary science activities for all aspects of the Science curriculum.

  • https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/tv/guides/bbc_stargazing_live_activity_pack.pd - For those interested in Earth and Space, click on the link below to download a Stargazing Live activity pack from the BBC.

  • https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/galileo/overview/ - Solar system exploration.

  • https://airandspace.si.edu/ - Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum:

  • https://www.discoverymindblown.com/ - Be inspired to ask big questions about the world around us.

  • https://climatekids.nasa.gov/ - Learn all about climate change.

  • https://kids.frontiersin.org/ - Science for kids, edited by kids – an open-access scientific journal written by scientists and reviewed by a board of kids: 

  • https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/ - Learn all about earthquakes,

  • https://web.extension.illinois.edu/firstgarden/index.cfm - Are you interested in gardening? My First Garden is a fantastic website that helps students plan out what they want to plant and gives them the history and needed growing conditions for the plants they select.  Cultivating young learners is what this site is all about.

Where can I get further information? 

Should you require any additional information or have any questions, please do not hesitate to do any of the following:

• Explore the Cranfield Curriculum page and downloadable documents.
• Speak to any member of the Core Zone Team.
• Speak to your child’s class teacher.

Click here to view our Science Policy