Science
Impact – Assessment of foundation subjects
Intent
At Hadrian Academy, it is our intention to provide all children with a broad and balanced science curriculum which reflects the equality and diversity policies in school. We want our children to bextend their curiosities and deepen their thinking of the world around them and to discover the answers in a challenging learning environment. Throughout your child’s journey at Hadrian Academy, our teaching will encourage children to enhance their working scientifically skills such as researching, observing and using questioning. The children will extend their investigations to the outdoor learning environment too; by carrying out investigations outdoors, students understand
science’s impact in everyday life and beyond the classroom. All children will have the opportunity to assess their understanding of scientific knowledge by carrying out investigations, predict outcomes, work collaboratively and analyse their findings. For every topic that is taught in Science at Hadrian Academy, children will be shown real life examples of how science impacts this aspect and children
will be shown careers linked to this topic, further stimulating appreciation and interest for a career in the sciences as your child grows.
Implementation
Hadrian Academy uses ‘Developing Experts’ science programme for Science. This scheme, which is adapted for our learners by our teachers, ensures full coverage of the National Curriculum following the programmes of study for each year group carefully. It offers the right balance of working scientifically and learning scientific facts. Developing Experts science curriculum directly links scientific knowledge, skills and a spiral of learning to ensure learning is progressive and continuous.
At the start of each topic, teachers take time to identify what the children already know and what they want to find out. Our teachers adapt learning to include children’s interests and needs, link to current events and use technology where possible to aid learning. Through modelling and questioning, children are encouraged to think deeply and share their understanding. We use ‘quick quizzes’ frequently throughout the topic, to build on children’s science knowledge to ensure key scientific information is retained and logged into children’s long-term memory. Key scientific vocabulary is modelled throughout lessons to build familiarity for the children, for it’s meaning and for the children to be able to explain findings and scientific principles using correct terminology. Alongside quick quizzes, questioning and modelling for the students, teachers use formal assessment to track attainment. This allows misconceptions to be addressed in the moment and greater clarity for students. Children will be encouraged to demonstrate understanding of key scientific findings
through diagrams, graphs/charts, study maps and presentations in class or in their Science workbooks.
Children at Hadrian Academy will:
Be able to question, work collaboratively, predict outcomes and plan for investigations.
Be able to safely handle equipment and display scientific findings in a variety of ways.
Develop a love of science work and build interest in careers related to a science based field.
Retain knowledge that is pertinent to Science with a real life context.
Gain real life science opportunities in school and on educational visits to enhance learning and
experiences.