It is the Levett School’s Intention in science to develop in all pupils’ a lifelong curiosity and interest in the sciences. When planning for the science curriculum, we intent for pupils to have the opportunity, wherever possible to learn through varied practical tasks, leading to them being equipped for life to ask and answer scientific questions about the world around them. As pupils progress through the year groups from year 7 to 9, they build on their skills in working scientifically, as well as on their scientific knowledge, as they develop greater independence in planning and carrying out fair and comparative tests to answer a range of scientific questions.
The science scheme of work is bespoke to the pupils at The Levett School, and ensures that pupils have a varied, progressive and well-mapped-out science curriculum that provides the opportunity for progression across the full breadth of the science national curriculum for Key Stage 3.
Furthermore, we organise STEM days, to encourage and influence the pupils with an extended opportunity to develop their understanding and love of science. We aim to develop our pupil’s cultural capital through investigating, observing and questioning to enhance their ability to explore the world around them.
The acquisition of key scientific knowledge is an integral part of our science lessons. Learning books enable pupils to learn and retain important, useful and powerful vocabulary and knowledge contained within each unit. The progression of skills for working scientifically are developed through the year groups and scientific enquiry skills are of key importance within lessons. The progression of these skills is set out in the science scheme of work. Each lesson has a clear focus, with differentiated learning outcomes to allow all pupils to access the lesson, interwoven into the teaching sequence are key assessment questions.
The Big Question is asked at the start of a lesson and pupils will answer the question at the end of the lesson using the knowledge they have gained. This is an area of formative assessment, along with the RISC activity, (introducing KS3/Foundation GCSE exam questions) which informs planning for the following lessons. The sequence of lessons helps to embed scientific knowledge and skills, with each lesson building on previous learning. Activities are effectively differentiated or scaffolded so that all pupils have an appropriate level of support and challenge.
Pupils are baselined when they arrive at the Levett School, and this assessment allows for effective differentiated during each lesson. Formal assessments are completed at the end of each unit, and this allows pupils to demonstrate progress as well aa informing future planning.
In science, progress is measured through pupils ability to know more, remember more and explain more. Attainment and progress can be measured across the school using our assessments, Big Questions, Learning Intentions highlighted, RISC activities and practical assessments. The impact of using the full range of resources included in the science unit will also be seen across the school with an increase in the profile of science.
The learning environment across the school will be more consistent with science technical vocabulary displayed, spoken and used by all learners. Whole-school and parental engagement will be improved through the use of enrichment days such as British Science Week. Pupils who feel confident in their science knowledge and enquiry skills will be excited about science, show that they are actively curious to learn more and will see the relevance of what they learn in science lessons to real-life situations and the importance of science in the real world.
