Strategic Lead for Science: Miss Z LeGray-Wise | zlegraywise@themast.co.uk
Science Curriculum
The Aims of the Science Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to inspire a lifelong curiosity in students about themselves, the world, the universe and its mysteries. It should empower students so they can evaluate and form their own ideas about how and why things happen using critical scientific thinking. This includes the ability to engage confidently in the ever-changing technical world.
At Kirkburton we strive for a quality science education throughout our curriculum which encompasses the following aims for ALL students-
- To install a lifelong interest and fascination about Science
- To prepare pupils and impart knowledge/skills to enable their further study beyond KMS including preparation for greater demands of the new GCSEs
- To empower pupils using a growth mindset and skills/knowledge gained in lessons to consolidate, apply and link ideas about Science to explain phenomena. This may well take them outside their learning ‘comfort zones’
- To allow pupils to explore their natural curiosity about the world through the use of science inside and outside the classroom
- To provide opportunities which give pupils experience, skills and knowledge through a varied curriculum that encompasses all Scientific disciplines and a relevance to the ever changing technical world
- To build the demands of the curriculum from Y6-8 in line with AREX (age related expectations)
- To design a programme of study which challenges pupils and allows them to revisit and use previous knowledge/skills in a spiral curriculum
- To provide opportunities for the development of SMSC, literacy, oracy and numeracy skills throughout the curriculum
- To allow pupils to assess through the different methods and track progress against the AREX allowing them to understand where and how to improve.
- To allow pupils to take responsibility for their own learning and progress in science inside and outside of the classroom
- To build pupils resilience and give them the confidence to challenge their knowledge and understanding.
Science is one of the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Maths and Engineering) we promote the study of science as a major career path for all pupils.
We study biological, chemical and physical process, through topics which show the links between these different disciplines, using the ‘big ideas’ of science, such as particles and energy, to underpin these scientific processes. Throughout our science curriculum we try to show how science is used in the ‘real’ world. We look at aspects such as forensics, cooking, medicine and sports science. This provides pupils with a context within which these scientific processes are used as well as embedding science as a part of everyday British culture.
Pupils engage in a range of investigations, learning to; plan, carry out, analyse and evaluate experiments, as well as assessing risk to make sure their experiments are safe. They learn how scientific models and theories help to explain their observations, as well as learning how these models and theories can change as new observations are made.
Pupils learn how science has developed as a discipline over time, by studying the history of key scientific ideas and the leading British and world scientists and cultures that have contributed to this understanding. Through the curriculum we aim to develop in pupils an appreciation of the power of science to improve peoples’ lives.
Curriculum Overview
The science programme of study at K.M.S has been revised in the light of the new national curriculum 2014, the new style GCSE exams and with the collaboration of colleagues from the other schools in the Shelley College pyramid. This collaboration has helped to ensure that the curriculum at Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 is fully covered in the most appropriate way to meet the needs of all our pupils. A greater emphasis on pupils’ numeracy and literacy skills has been built into science lessons to enhance pupils’ understanding of the scientific concepts they study, as well as helping them to communicate their ideas more clearly.
Year 6
Autumn Term |
Introduction to Science Human Body Forces |
---|---|
Spring Term |
Changing Materials Living Things and Their Habitats |
Summer Term |
Electricity Evolution |
Year 7
Autumn Term |
Matter Energy |
---|---|
Spring Term |
Organisms Including Reproduction Genes Forces |
Summer Term |
Ecology Reactions |
Year 8
Autumn Term |
Organisms Light and Sound |
---|---|
Spring Term |
Energy Matter |
Summer Term |
Forces Plants and Ecosystems Reactions |
Check out what is going on in British Science Week here: https://www.britishscienceweek.org/browse-events/
https://www.britishscienceweek.org/
What career…?
Students who succeed in science can look forward to careers in health, engineering, technological industries, academia, media and many others.
Democracy
Science encourages individual to hold their own beliefs and have respect for others whose belief may differ. By its very nature it encourages pupils to question and interrogate hypothesis and formulate their own conclusions using the evidence they have available to them. Pupils through team work will be given opportunities to decide on what’s the best course for the group through discussion. Pupils also discuss how theories have changed (e.g. Atomic theory) through peer review and experimentation until they become widely held within the scientific community.
The rule of Law
Pupils are taught the need for safety rules in the laboratory and during practical’s. They are encouraged to take responsibility for their own and others safety through the use of risk assessments. They also understand that breaking the rules have consequences.
Individual Liberty
Science encourages individual to hold their own beliefs and have respect for others whose belief may differ. By its very nature it encourages pupils to question and interrogate hypothesis and formulate their own conclusions using the evidence they have available to them. Science also encourages team work and debate and allows pupils to recognise that everyones contributions are important and valid. Pupils also are encouraged take responsibility for their own learning and progress in science inside and outside of the classroom.
Mutual Respect
Pupils are encouraged to explore their natural curiosity about the world through the use of science inside and outside the classroom so they can see that living in society today means we share a common goal of responsibility for our planet and the organisms who live on it. Where appropriate to a topic, the ethical and ecological issues are discussed (e.g. bioaccumulation). Pupils learn to work collaboratively and how to cooperate with others during practical work/classwork. They must learn that everyone has their own strengths, ways of working and aspects of knowledge allowing others the room to express their views and feel listened to.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Scientific facts remain the same no matter the culture, language or religious beliefs of individuals. Science transcends boundaries to help us prepare for a better future. Pupils are encouraged to recognise that contributions from all cultures are important, valid and needed to make sense of the world around us and universe beyond that.