As a core subject of the National Curriculum Science will be taught as a discrete subject. Planning and teaching will reflect the balance of practical and theoretical work in Attainment Target weightings (50% AT1; 50% AT2, 3, 4).

Through science teaching at Parochial School we foster the following aims;

2a. To encourage a questioning attitude.

2b. To help the children acquire and apply scientific skills.

2c. To develop an understanding of the concepts and knowledge required within the National Curriculum.

The children will be taught in a variety of ways including;

• Practical investigation work.
• Consolidation of AT1 skills;

making predictions.

doing (observation, measuring, fair testing).

presenting and handling results.

drawing conclusions.

• Direct teaching.
• Discussion between teacher/ pupil and pupil /pupil.
• Research using books, artefacts, information technology.

Work will be differentiated to meet the specific requirements of children with S.E.N and high achievers.

Within the framework of the upper and lower school 2 year long-term planning cycles, science content is planned through the Q.C.A scheme of work adapted by staff. The time allocation for discrete science will be between 60 to 90 minutes each week.

Long term planning will ensure that children have opportunities to:

a) plan experiments, gather and consider evidence.

b) learn about life processes and living things.

c) learn about materials and their properties.

d) learn about physical processes.

Science equipment is stored centrally in the resources room and will be returned there when not in use. Each classroom has some equipment to carry out group AT1 investigations, stored in the classroom. New stocks of consumables will be re-ordered by the subject co-ordinator.

Children will be taught to work with due care and attention, learning to use and look after equipment safely and effectively. Any losses or damaged equipment should be reported to the subject co-ordinator.

The B.B.C. television series ‘Science Zone’ (9-11 years) and ‘The Experimenter’ (7-9 years) will be used in appropriate science topics for each age group.

Science work will largely be recorded in designated exercise books.

To encourage well- structured investigation work and recording, the children will use science investigation sheets (stored in the resources room) for some practical work on a regular basis.

7. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Children will be given the opportunity to use ICT as a means of handling data, presenting information generated by scientific investigations and for carrying out individual research.

Assessment of a child’s progress and understanding will take place in a number of ways. Investigation work is carried out in small groups and gives an ideal opportunity for the teacher to assess achievement in an informal way.

• Teachers will record such achievement in Pupil Profile booklets throughout the year.
• Periodic written assessments will be kept in the children’s portfolio.
• Children’s science investigation sheets will be used for assessment purposes and to inform future planning.
• Key Stage 2 SATs will be administered at the end of year 6.
• The subject co-ordinator will monitor planning, build a current subject portfolio and maintain a subject co-ordinator's file.

Subject co-ordinator Ann Gillam

Governor with subject responsibility

AEG 1/99