Science

Science and How My World Works Overview 

Intent 

The principal focus of science teaching at the Vale of Evesham School is to enable pupils to experience and observe phenomena and look more closely at the natural and humanly constructed world around them. Pupils are encouraged to be curious and ask questions about what they notice. We believe that science is a practical subject. Therefore, our intent is to equip students with the essential scientific skills to enquire, investigate, analyse, and evaluate. Pupils are encouraged to use simple scientific language to talk about what they have found out and communicate their ideas in a variety of ways. Most of the science learning is done through the use of first-hand practical experiences, but there is also the use of appropriate secondary sources, such as books, photographs and videos. 

Implementation 

Science skills are woven throughout our curriculum to ensure continuous progression from early years through to upper year levels. By learning through scientific enquiry, students apply abstract concepts to practical demonstrations, ensuring skills are mastered with increasing depth and challenge. 

Core Scientific Skills 

The Science curriculum at Vale of Evesham School is planned and sequenced so that new knowledge and skills build on prior learning. The core scientific skills include: 

• Enquiry & Investigation: Posing scientific questions and recognizing how they can be answered. 

• Observation & Measurement: Using equipment accurately and making precise observations. 

• Analysis & Data Handling: Gathering, recording, and presenting data using charts, diagrams, and graphs. 

• Evaluation: Interpreting results, drawing conclusions, and identifying patterns or anomalies. 

• Critical Thinking: Challenging misconceptions and developing resilience and perseverance through trial and discover 

Delivery 

The Formal curriculum is taught in a progressive way, For HS1 90 mins per week and for HS2 for 2 hours per week, with a very visual approach using real objects, moving to the more abstract and formal approaches as students’ progress through school. The skills of working scientifically are taught throughout all the topics and in all discovery activities, investigations and experiments. 

The Semi-Formal curriculum focuses on practical skills, developing curiosity and broadening horizons by being outward facing and exposing pupils to the world around them. Semi formal students have 1 weekly taught session of 60 minutes or 2 weekly taught sessions of 30 mins each. Through a topic-based approach, this area of learning encompasses Science, Sense of Place (Geography) Sense of Time (History) and the use of technology for access and communication. 

Impact 

The impact of our curriculum is that students leave us as confident, inquisitive learners equipped for the next stage of their education 

EYFS 

Vale of Evesham School has a consistent, well-constructed and well-taught Science curriculum that all builds on prior learning, so that pupils are always being prepared for the next stage of their education. 

Vale of Evesham School’s Science Curriculum ensures that Early Years prepare the children for their next school phase. Children will have explored the three strands of Understanding the World: The World, Technology and People and Communities alongside Thinking Skills to prepare them for their learning in FS1. 

FS1 and FS2 

The focus in science for FS1 and FS2 is understanding scientific concepts. The teacher’s role is to help children develop their understanding, starting from the ideas they already have about the topic under study. In brief this role involves planning a topic, or area of investigation, around the development of understanding of key ideas and skills. Children are given opportunities to explore new materials, events and situations, and then to express their ideas about what they are exploring. The key ideas are generalisations that link a range of experiences. From each of these experiences, children will gain ‘small’ ideas relating to the particular contexts encountered. 

FS3 and HS1 

Our Science Curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods: 

• A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes 

• Tracking of knowledge through Evidence for Learning 

• Pupil discussions about their learning 

HS2 

Our High School curriculum is sequenced in a logical order to ensure students are constantly building on their prior knowledge as they progress from HS1 to HS2.  Our intention is to engage and enthuse students in this process as they test out their ideas practically, through investigating, observing and experimenting, thereby reflecting the enquiry process used by scientists.  

Assessment 

Assessment focusses on scientific skills and provides steppingstones for progression. Our assessment criteria are used for next steps in the classroom with pupils, to support their development and advance them as independent learners. Staff supporting sessions may take photographs and complete written observations, where appropriate, during or after the taught session using Evidence for Learning. 

In HS1, children’s learning is assessed throughout the teaching activities and takes place in the form of observation, discussion with pupils and between staff (language of learning).  

These strategies combined will form constant formative assessment which will allow for planning for learning in subsequent sessions. As a result of this, medium-term plans may be adapted and changed as children’s skills and understanding progresses. Assessment is simple and focuses on depth of understanding, not just superficial knowledge recall. Termly, summative assessment focuses on skill acquisition. 

HS2 follow the Edexcel Entry Level Certificate in Science and assessment takes place termly. All these qualifications develop and embed existing skills, but our primary purpose is to make these skills functional to enable our pupils to apply them to real life situations. 

How My World Work / Science (Weekly Timing)
	Semi-formal	Formal
FS1	60 mins or 2 x 30 mins
FS2	60 mins or 2 x 30 mins
FS3	60 mins or 2 x 30 mins	60 mins or 2 x 30 mins
HS1	60 mins or 2 x 30 mins	2 x 45 mins or 90 mins
HS2	60 mins or 2 x 30 mins	2 x 60 mins (Entry Level Assessed)