Intent

At Southwood Primary, it is our intention to recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life. We give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires. 

We aim to give children the freedom and autonomy to explore their ideas and make mistakes that can be reflected on. Most of the learning about science should be done through the use of first-hand practical experiences, but there should also be some use of appropriate secondary sources, such as books, photographs and videos. Science should allow children to:

Experience and observe the natural and humanly- constructed world around them.

Be curious and ask questions.

Explore, test and develop their understanding of scientific ideas.

Use appropriate and accurate scientific language to communicate ideas and findings.

Have knowledge of and exposure to different enquiry types.

Have a growing confidence in ‘working scientifically’.

Science should be meaningful, relevant and have real-life context.

Implementation

At Southwood Primary School our main aim is to develop children’s knowledge, skills, and understanding, as well as encouraging a sense of enjoyment in Science. Sometimes we do this through whole-class and small group teaching, while at other times we engage the children in an enquiry-based research activity. We encourage the children to ask, as well as answer, scientific questions. They have the opportunity to use a variety of data, such as statistics, graphs, pictures, and photographs. They use ICT in Science lessons where it enhances their learning. 

Children will be able to build on prior knowledge and link ideas together, enabling them to question and become enquiry based learners. Wherever possible, we involve the pupils in practical activities as these increase enthusiasm and motivation and provide first-hand experience. Practical activities provide the children with a range of contexts allowing safe exploration of the world without the need to master facts and theories. By taking part in practical activities, children with special educational needs are given the opportunity to develop fine motor skills and co-ordination. Knowledge and skills can be developed in small steps through practical work.

We recognise that there are children of widely different abilities in all classes, so we provide suitable learning opportunities for all children by matching the challenge of the task to the ability of the child. We achieve this in a variety of ways by:

*Setting common tasks which are open-ended and can have a variety of responses.

*Mixed groups and grouping children by ability in the room and setting different tasks to each ability group.

*Providing resources of different complexity depending on the ability of the child.

*Providing challenges designed to allow the children to reflect and think deeper about their learning.

Where applicable links to science will be made to develop the children’s topical learning.

Impact

Impact is measured by:

Informal judgements by teachers during lessons

Teacher’s marking and comments

End of year reports

Retention of knowledge and skills

Level of engagement and enjoyment

Appropriate use of scientific vocabulary

Children's confidence

Teaching Science In Our Garden

Some of the many benefits of school gardens include providing active, engaging, real-world experiences; enhancing students’ connection to nature; offering a setting for integrated, holistic learning; and fostering nature-related values.

In addition, school gardens also provide an opportunity for enhanced science learning. The gardening club alongside supplementary materials—such as complementary lessons related to nutrition, plant science, horticulture, weather studies and its effects on the garden, all help improve scientific skills, knowledge and understanding.

Another amazing benefit our garden adds is involving our community and learning together! Our gardening club allows pupils to become involved in the planning, caring, and harvesting of a garden whilst spending time with the community. It helps the children develop an understanding of that which they are curious about– nature. Children also develop a sense of responsibility and pride in themselves, which can ultimately improve self-esteem.

Below is the progression in knowledge that pupils are taught about plants in science:

Gardening Club

Gardening is a great way to boost well-being and social interaction within the community. School gardens can teach children the importance of caring for the environment and how nature works to feed us.

If you have any expertise or time that you could offer, we would greatly appreciate your help! Please see if any grandparents, aunties, uncles or neighbours would like to get involved …this is for all our community!

If you or someone you know would like to help out, please email Miss Harris (gharris@southwood.bardaglea.org.uk) or speak to me at the start or end of the day in the playground.

Please keep an out on Class Dojo for information on which days and times we will be running our weekly sessions.

A huge thank you to those that came along this week to help prepare our growing garden.

The children absolutely loved getting their hands (and every other part of them) dirty! They are super excited to start growing their own fruit, vegetables and flowers!

A massive thank you to our community for coming along to gardening club this week! The popularity of this experience is growing day and day .....pupils are asking to get out into the quad at every opportunity possible! Thank you Ms Murphy, for our gardening t shirts that help keep us cleaner, and thank you Ms Herring for our seeds!

Our pupils would be out here all day if they could! 

Have a look at some of our recorded learning