The teaching of science helps children to develop useful knowledge, skills and attitudes about the world we live in. The curriculum is designed for conceptual progression, and there is a strong emphasis on scientific vocabulary. Pupils regularly engage in investigative work developing their own hypotheses and drawing conclusions. We gained the Science Quality Mark for our excellent teaching of science. The subject is taught by a specialist.
In the modern world in which we live today, science touches every part of our lives. Our future prosperity depends on scientific advances and yet we have a shortage of scientists.
At Lady Margaret Primary School, we celebrate and promote science, both in science specific lessons, and across the curriculum. Our pupils share a sense of excitement and curiosity about the natural world in which we live.
They also develop the belief that if they are not sure about something, they should not accept it, but challenge and ask WHY?
Because all pupils are scientists, they answer the question why, by:
• looking carefully
• investigating
• researching
As a result, our curriculum is structured to ensure that our learning is developed through: observing, investigating and researching.
Our aim is pupils will be so inspired by Science at Lady Margaret Primary School, they will become the greatly needed scientists of tomorrow.
Science curriculum follows the National Curriculum themes and requirements, whilst also linking to our class topics so as to provide a meaningful context for learning.
Science is covered in the Foundation Stage through ‘Understanding the World’. Here, pupils explore and investigate the natural world as well as themselves.
Throughout Key stages 1 and 2, key learning is reinforced and developed through a combination of: investigation, experimentation, research and observation.
Children are encouraged to question, predict and test their ideas through whole class, group or individual investigations and project work and then form conclusions. Thus developing a curiosity and a desire for learning.
As science is everywhere, this is reflected in our wider curriculum, which has many cross curricular links to science planned in.
Our commitment to science at Lady Margaret School is reflected in our investment of a specialist science teacher who both teaches and supports teachers in the delivery of science.
Science is not just limited to the classroom. During their time at LMPS, children widen their experiences by participating in educational visits. Examples of these include the Science Museum, the Wetland Centre, Kew Gardens and Odds Farm.
In addition, there are a number of after school clubs that pupils are able to attend. These are designed to enable pupils to have a greater input into what they study. For example, in one current club, pupils are combining their electrical, DT and programming skills to construct a haunted house that is wired up with motors, lights, and servos to create a variety of spooky effects.
All the pupils are involved in the development and running of our edible garden, which was a winner in ‘The Ealing in bloom award’. This develops a greater understanding of the life cycles of plant life, and also the importance of plants for us.
Early years also develop their understanding of the lifecycle each year, when they observe the hatching of chicks. Some of the chickens join the hens which reside by the wildlife garden. Once again the pupils are encouraged to visit and observe our chickens, who are now quite tame.
Finally, we are developing an outdoor wildlife area to enable us to develop a better understanding of the wild life that is around us, that we are often not aware of.
Our aim is pupils will be so inspired by Science at Lady Margaret Primary School, they will become the greatly needed scientists of tomorrow.
When our pupils move on to High School we hope that many of them will continue in their studies of science.
Our pupils will have:
…developed a love and passion for the subject.
…have a good scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding of science.
…have the confidence and ability to carry out, and report on, science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them.
…be equipped with scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
…use their scientific knowledge and understanding to care for the world in which they live.
