Teaching Science

At Old Hall we provide adequate time for developing scientific knowledge, skills and understanding. Each teacher provides weekly Science lessons although this is taught differently in EYFS, KS1 and KS2.

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Foundation Level

Science is an integral part of topic learning and should be embedded throughout activities. At this stage, the ‘understanding the world’ area of learning commands at least one hour of structured time per week and is evident throughout other learning tasks. Cross-curricular links will also be made to other subjects so that pupils can develop and apply their scientific skills.

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KS1

KS1 have four topics to cover over the academic year and some teachers deliver this through ‘block’ topics of work rather than to teach it is an integrated part of the topic for the term. Lessons vary in length but are usually around one and a half hours.

KS2

Science in KS2 is usually delivered as a stand-alone subject. Cross-curricular links are made where possible but not forced. Science lessons vary in length but can be up to two hours long. Sometimes observations are made that are carried on over days or even weeks.

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How is it taught?

The teachers at Old Hall use the most appropriate teaching strategy to suit the purpose of the particular learning situation. Our school encourages learning through investigation with an emphasis on first-hand experience. There are no imposed formal structure for science lessons but contain some of the following elements:

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Discussion: What they already know from experience, what they have learnt so far, what they will be finding out next. Where necessary, mind mapping and question boards are appropriate methods for recording these discussions.

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Teaching: directly to the whole class or through group or individual work.

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Practical tasks or investigative work: working within groups or individually, practicing scientific skills, finding out answers, being encouraged to think scientifically.

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Recording: writing about what they have found out, drawing charts and tables and diagrams, using the computer and other media to record what they have done or found out about.

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Communicating: sharing ideas, predictions, knowledge and what they have found out with each other, the teacher, other classes and adults as appropriate.

We assess Science in a variety of ways. 

After each topic the children complete a SATS style assessment created by a company called Outstanding Science. In addition we assess how the children work scientifically using a format created in house. We also use teacher assessments on how the children have worked during the lesson itself. To see an example of working scientifically and what the topics are the children look at in each year group, click on the year group button below.