Science

Intent

At Mevagissey Primary School, we recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life. The scientific area of learning is concerned with increasing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of our world, and with developing skills associated with Science as a process of enquiry. It will develop the natural curiosity of the child, encourage respect for living organisms and the physical environment and provide opportunities for critical evaluation of evidence. Being a ‘stones throw’ from the sea, we utilise regular ‘beach school’ sessions in the summer term to support the teaching and development of Science.

Implementation

We want our children to be naturally curious about the world around them and foster a sense of wonder about natural phenomena.

•          Our curriculum has been designed to clearly map progression and ensure full coverage of the three disciplines: biology, chemistry and physics, through explicit teaching of the National Curriculum. As well as the curriculum maps, which identify science progression (Key Skills Progression), there is also a science curriculum overview, that indicates which topics are being taught and when. Science teaching involves adapting and extending the curriculum to match all pupils’ needs. Science is always taught discretely each week to ensure coverage and where possible links to the overarching class topics.

•          The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) follows the non-statutory guidance document Birth to 5: in order to build skills and knowledge to work towards the statutory Early Learning Goals by the end of the year. Science is taught, shared and assessed through Communication and Language (Speaking and Understanding), Physical Development (Health and Self-Care), Understanding the World (The World) and Expressive Arts and Design (Exploring and Using Media and Materials)

•          A wide range of scientific equipment and resources are available throughout the school for use in lessons. This includes measuring equipment (e.g. scales, tape measures, newton-meters, measuring jugs, thermometers, and anemometers), electrical resources (e.g. rechargeable batteries, wires, bulbs), plants and seeds, and other general resources which can be used for the purpose of scientific investigation and demonstration.

•          Additionally, the school uses free online resources such as ‘Explorify’ to extend the children’s understanding and encourage oracy and thinking skills, which make connections between and within topics. We have also used free resources from external agencies to enhance our teaching and learning, such as Cornwall Astronomers visiting with their telescopes and RMS (Royal Microscopical  Society) lending full sized microscopes for each class to explore and use.

•          We are committed to providing a stimulating, engaging and challenging learning environment. Throughout our school, children are encouraged to develop and use a range of working scientifically skills including questioning, researching and observing for themselves.

Impact

At Mevagissey, our vision is to ignite pupils' curiosity and encourage them to confidently explore and discover the world around them, so that they develop a deeper understanding of the world we live in. Through our practical and enjoyable curriculum, we inspire and excite our children and foster a thirst for knowledge.

We also offer:

•          External visitors (Cornwall Astronomers; Inspiration Space (Goonhilly Space station online event),
•          Science days (Professor Bubbleworks workshops; Ruth Peacey Antarctic adventurer) and
•          Whole school science week celebrations (2021 Inspirational Women in Science based on the text ‘Fantastically Great Women in Science’ by Kate Pankhurst) to give children the opportunity to thrive within practical activities and investigations to extend their skills further. They share their successes and achievements during celebration assemblies.

In addition, the teaching of science promotes and develops transferable skills such as observation, communication, teamwork and allows mathematical skills to be applied.