Science at Barming 

Science

Intent:

At Barming Pre-School and Primary School, we believe that teaching and learning in Science should develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena and an understanding of how the scientific community contributes to our past, present and future. For these purposes, we follow the Kapow Scheme for Science. It provides first hand experiences and support for children to develop enquiring minds, learning how to question and discuss Science through collaboration. 

We want pupils to develop a complex knowledge of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, but also adopt a broad range of skills in working scientifically and beyond. The scheme of work is inclusive and meaningful, so all pupils may experience the joy of science and make associations between their science learning and their lives outside the classroom. Studying Science allows children to appreciate how new knowledge and skills can be fundamental to solving arising global challenges. The curriculum aims to encourage critical thinking and empower pupils to question the 'hows' and 'whys' of the world around them.

The Kapow scheme encourages:

• A strong focus on developing knowledge alongside scientific skills across Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
• Curiosity and excitement about familiar and unknown observations.
• Challenging misconceptions and demystifying truths.
• Continuous progression by building on practical and investigative skills across all units.
• Critical thinking, with the ability to ask perceptive questions and explain and analyse evidence.
• Development of scientific literacy using wide-ranging, specialist vocabulary. Kapow Primary’s Science scheme of work enables pupils to meet the end of key stage attainment targets in the national curriculum and the aims also align with those set out in the national curriculum.

Implementation:

Kapow Primary’s Science scheme offers a range of engaging recall activities which promote frequent pupil reflection on prior learning, ensuring new learning is approached with confidence. The Science in action strand is interwoven throughout the scheme to make the concepts and skills relevant to pupils and inspiring for future application. Cross-curricular links are included throughout each unit, allowing children to make connections and apply their Science skills to other areas of learning. Each unit is based upon one of the key science disciplines; Biology, Chemistry and Physics and to show progression throughout the school we have grouped the National curriculum content into six key areas of science: Plants Animals, including humans Living things and habitats Materials Energy Forces, Earth and space. Pupils explore knowledge and conceptual understanding through engaging activities and an introduction to relevant specialist vocabulary. As suggested in Ofsted’s Science research review (April 2021), the ‘working scientifically’ skills are integrated with conceptual understanding rather than taught discretely. This provides frequent, but relevant, opportunities for developing scientific enquiry skills. The scheme utilises practical activities that aid in the progression of individual skills and also provides opportunities for full investigations.

Each year group has an exploratory ‘Making connections’ unit that delves beyond the essential curriculum, assimilating prior knowledge and skills to evoke excitement and to provide an additional method of assessing scientific attainment. Lessons incorporate various teaching strategies from independent tasks to paired and group work, including practical, creative, computer-based and collaborative tasks. This variety means that lessons are engaging and appeal to those with different learning styles. Guidance for adapting the learning is available for every lesson to ensure that all pupils can access learning, and opportunities to stretch pupils’ learning are available when required. Knowledge organisers for each unit help to identify prior and future curriculum links to make the scheme as meaningful as possible and reinforce key technical terms. Strong subject knowledge is vital for staff to deliver a highly effective and robust Science curriculum.

Impact:

The expected impact of following the Kapow Primary Science scheme of work is that children will:

• Develop a body of foundational knowledge for the Biology topics in the National curriculum: Plants; Animals, Including Humans; Living Things and Their Habitats; Evolution and Inheritance.
• Develop a body of foundational knowledge for the Chemistry topics in the National curriculum: Everyday Materials; Uses of Everyday Materials; Properties and Changes of Materials; States of Matter; Rocks.
• Develop a body of foundational knowledge for the Physics topics in the National curriculum: Seasonal Changes; Forces and Magnets; Sound; Light; Electricity; Earth and Space.
• Be able to evaluate and identify the methods that ‘real world’ scientists use to develop and answer scientific questions.
• Identify and use equipment effectively to accurately gather, measure and record data.
• Be able to display and convey data in a variety of ways, including graphs.
• Analyse data in order to identify, classify, group, and find patterns.
• Use evidence to formulate explanations and conclusions.
• Demonstrate scientific literacy through presenting concepts and communicating ideas using scientific vocabulary.
• Understand the importance of resilience and a growth mindset, particularly in reference to scientific enquiry.
• Meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National curriculum for Science. 

The Miracle of Metamorphosis

Year 2 had the wonderful opportunity to watch caterpillars change into chrysalides (also known as pupae) and then emerge as beautiful Painted Lady Butterflies. The children raised and fed the butterflies before releasing them into the wild.  The entire transformation from caterpillar to adult butterfly took about 5 weeks and really enhanced the children's understanding of life cycles. 

British Science Week

British Science Week saw the whole school take part in a real celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths! 

Children across the school took part in a range of different activities, from gardening to construction.

Here are a few pictures capturing some of what we got up to.  

Here's what we have been up to in Science so far this year...

Year 1 

Year 1 have been busy sorting materials, measuring and comparing the temperature of water, labelling parts of the body, testing materials to see if they are waterproof and sorting animals into groups.

Year 2 - Living Things and Their Habitats

Year 2 took their learning outside and went exploring, looking for things which were alive, dead and had never been alive.

Year 5

Year 3 - Rocks & Soil

Year 3 thoroughly enjoyed investigating the different types of soil. They learnt all about the different types of soil and how different soil types are used for different purposes. 

Gardening Club

Dr James and her gardening club have been busy around the school, planting and watering different plants for the spring and experimenting and investigating seasonal flowers such as daffodils. Gardening club takes place after school every Thursday. 

Interesting Science websites and websites to support Home Learning: 

KS1 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z6svr82

KS2 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z2pfb9q

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments.html

https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

https://www.scienceforkidsclub.com/experiments.html

https://explorify.wellcome.ac.uk/blog/explorify-during-school-closures

Here KS1 were carrying out an experiment to see what materials are waterproof. They carefully poured water on to different materials to see which were waterproof and which weren't. They had great fun and didn't get too wet!

KS2 Science at Barming

Here, KS2 are carrying out an experiment to see how plants absorb water. They were impressed with the results!

Outdoor Learning Day - RHS Campaign for School Gardening 

On Thursday 21st May 2021 the whole school got involved in gardening across the school. Each class planted a variety of seeds, flowers, vegetables and herbs in pots around the school.

We are looking forward to seeing everywhere in full bloom in the summer!

You can find out more about the RHS Campaign for School Gardening on their website.

https://schoolgardening.rhs.org.uk/home

RHS School Gardening Award 

We have achieved level 1 of the RHS School Gardening awards! We are now hoping to get level 2 and 3 next year.

Click the link below to find out what we have done to achieve level 1 and what we need to do next.

https://schoolgardening.rhs.org.uk/school-gardening-awards/school-gardening-awards-level-1

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