Intent:

The intent of the Science curriculum at Brenzett Primary School is to provide students with a broad and balanced education that instils a deep appreciation and enthusiasm for scientific inquiry. Through engaging and purposeful learning experiences, the aim is to develop students' scientific knowledge, conceptual understanding, and critical thinking skills. The Science curriculum aims to:

• Foster an understanding of key scientific concepts and principles.
• Develop scientific skills, including observation, investigation, and experimentation.
• Encourage curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
• Promote scientific literacy, enabling students to understand and engage with scientific information in the world around them.
• Support students' understanding of the nature of science and scientific processes.

Implementation:

Sequencing and Progression:

At Brenzett Primary School our Science curriculum is carefully structured to ensure that key concepts and knowledge are built upon and extended as pupils’ progress through the school. We use the Kent Science Scheme for our learning. This curriculum is designed around the framework set out in the National Curriculum for Science, and we make frequent reference to the progression of ideas. The curriculum is planned and sequenced to ensure a coherent and progressive learning journey, allowing pupils to deepen their understanding of scientific concepts and develop sophisticated scientific skills over time. Our school uses knowledge organisers which are shared at the beginning of each term. 

Engaging and Practical Experiences:

We recognise the importance of providing pupils with practical and hands-on experiences to develop their scientific skills and understanding. Our science lessons are designed to be engaging, allowing pupils to undertake experiments, investigations, and practical activities that promote active learning. We provide a range of resources and equipment to support practical work, including access to scientific tools and technologies suitable for primary level. By incorporating real-life contexts and problem-solving opportunities, we aim to make science relevant and meaningful to our pupils.

Enquiry-Based Learning:

Enquiry-based learning is central to our Science curriculum. We encourage our pupils to develop a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them, fostering their ability to ask questions and seek answers through scientific investigation. We promote open-ended investigations and exploratory activities that allow pupils to develop their critical thinking skills, including making systematic observations, collecting and analysing data, and drawing evidence-based conclusions. We support pupils in designing and conducting their own experiments whenever possible, cultivating their scientific independence and problem-solving abilities.

Cross-Curricular Links:

We recognise the interconnectedness of subjects within the curriculum and actively seek opportunities to make cross-curricular links to other subjects. We encourage pupils to apply their scientific knowledge and skills in a range of contexts, including Mathematics, English, and Design and Technology. By making these connections, we aim to reinforce learning, deepen understanding, and demonstrate the relevance of science in our everyday lives.

STEM Enrichment:

To enrich our Science curriculum further, we provide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) enrichment activities and experiences. Our MAT, Aquila, is part of a ‘super enthuse’ STEM network.  We organize visits to museums, science fairs, and local industries to inspire and expose our pupils to real-life STEM applications. We also work with experts and scientists from diverse fields to engage with our pupils and staff through workshops, talks, and hands-on demonstrations. These enrichments foster a culture of scientific curiosity, broaden horizons, and open doors to potential STEM career pathways.