At King William Street, we recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life and we give the teaching and learning of Science the priority it requires.

We believe that through science pupils will deepen their understanding of the world and all its phenomena.  We aim to stimulate curiosity in finding out why things happen in the way they do; we teach methods of enquiry and investigation to stimulate creative thought.  Children learn to ask scientific questions and begin to appreciate the way science will affect their future on a personal and global level.

Science learning is practical, relevant and creative. Science is taught in planned and arranged topic blocks by the class teacher so that the pupils can dig deep into the subject matter and develop their scientific reasoning skills. The units have been chosen to compliment the overarching topic, although they may not be directly linked, whilst ensuring that the pupils are given the chance to develop their skills and understanding in a broad and balanced way. Within each Science unit, the pupils will be taught the appropriate vocabulary and how to use that vocabulary to explain their understanding. They will also partake in a range of activities, mostly practical where at all possible. Working Scientifically skills are clearly mapped out and embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed, throughout every lesson and unit, as the children progress through the school.

We build upon the science learning and skill development of the previous years.  Our science curriculum is carefully mapped out to ensure progression and consolidation using a small steps progression document and Chris Quigley milestones.  At the beginning of every new topic, teachers assess children's understanding of the key knowledge for that topic and this is revisited at the end of each topic.

Our Science curriculum is taught in blocks linked as far as possible to the topic that is being taught that term. Each element will be taught on a two year rolling programme. During each block there will be an emphasis on working scientifically using one of the different types of scientific enquiry:

• Observation over time
• Identify/classify
• Pattern seeking
• Research
• Fair testing

The knowledge taught relates to the key national curriculum areas of Life Processes and Living Things, Materials and their Properties and Physical Processes.

Accurate scientific language is modelled and developed throughout the lesson and that all pupils are expected to use it. In this way, they can demonstrate their understanding and we can minimise and challenge any misconceptions. Probing questions are evident throughout the lesson, with children responding in full sentences.

Every class has a topic working wall, which examples of the children’s work with key vocabulary for that unit is added to alongside any relevant supportive materials.  This vocabulary is re-visited continuously.

 Science learning is recorded in the children’s Topic books. This might be shown in a variety of different ways such as tables, posters, observational drawings or graphs, annotated photographs etc.

Each lesson is identified with the subject heading of science and a WALT that is taken from each year group’s small steps progression document. Each WALT is a small step towards the children achieving the milestone for that subject. These WALTs are then highlighted in the children’s books and the attainment is then recorded on the science part Target Tracker.