Science at Armley Park Primary School

Science learning at Armley Park aims to encourage a child’s natural curiosity to develop appreciation of the incredible world around them by providing the opportunity to raise their own questions. Children learn through their observations and then by asking questions, discussing ideas and engaging in practical activities. When learning science, children engage in meaningful tasks that link to their own lives and the wider world.

Our science curriculum has been planned to ensure the children will acquire and develop a deep understanding across the key substantive concepts of biology, chemistry and physics. Throughout the programmes of study, the children will acquire and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit and across each year group. Key skills and knowledge are mapped for each year group and are progressive throughout the school, with planning enhanced by knowledge and subject specific vocabulary. The curriculum is designed to ensure that children are able to acquire key scientific knowledge through practical experiences; using equipment, conducting experiments, analysing results and explaining scientific concepts confidently.

Our key principles when teaching science are that children:

• To ask questions
• Apply the 5 key skills during investigation of Research using secondary sources, Observation over time, Identifying, Classifying and grouping, Comparative and fair testing and pattern seeking/
• Evaluate and draw conclusions
• make links to the wider world.

Our science curriculum provides regular opportunities for children to recognise the importance of science in the world around us and the many different roles undertaken by scientists. We aim to develop children’s ‘Science Capital’ so that they are passionate about science and inspired to keep studying science and make a difference to the world.