Science

Our vision: ‘Embracing diversity, building a brighter future together’.

‘Learning at Boothferry inspires us to discover, explore and use our knowledge, skills and understanding to develop ourselves as citizens of tomorrow’.

Curriculum Intent

IPC units of study offer a coherently planned sequence of lessons to help teachers ensure they have progressively covered the skills and concepts required in the National Curriculum It is our intention in Science to develop in all young people a lifelong curiosity and interest in the sciences. Through our IPC units of work, we intend for children to have the opportunity, wherever possible, to learn through varied systematic investigations, leading to them being equipped for life to ask and answer scientific questions about the world around them. As children progress through the year groups, 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. Our aim is that children learn and retain the important, useful and powerful scientific vocabulary – the development of this is shown through our science vocabulary progression document. Our carefully selected IPC units of work ensure that children 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 KS1 and KS2.

Curriculum Implementation

The acquisition of key scientific knowledge is an integral part of our science lessons. 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 progression of skills document and the progression of key scientific vocabulary is set out in the scientific vocabulary progression document. In accordance with the progression documents, scientific knowledge and enquiry skills are developed with increasing depth and challenge as children move through the year groups. They complete investigations and hands-on activities while gaining the scientific knowledge for each unit. Interwoven into the teaching sequence are opportunities for assessment rubrics (aimed at targeting next steps in learning). These allow teachers to assess children’s levels of understanding at various points in the unit being studied. They also enable opportunities to recap concepts where necessary. The sequence of lessons helps to embed scientific knowledge and skills, with each lesson building on previous learning – The diagram below demonstrates our approach to teaching each unit and throughout this process and there also the opportunity to regularly review and evaluate children’s understanding. Our IPC units of work include adult guidance to ensure that teachers are equipped with secure scientific subject knowledge, enabling them to deliver high-quality teaching and learning opportunities while making them aware of possible scientific misconceptions.

Curriculum impact

In Science, progress is measured through a child’s ability to know more, remember more and explain more. This can be measured in different ways in our IPC units. The use of our IPC assessment rubrics ensures opportunities are built into each unit for ongoing assessment. Attainment and progress can be measured across the school using our end of year summative assessments and end of year subject reviews that will inform the following year’s action plan. 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 science-specific home learning tasks and end of unit exit points. Children 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 also the importance of science in the real world.

Progression of Skills

If you would like to read the Progression of Skills document, please click below.

Progression of Vocabulary

If you would like to read the Progression of Vocabulary document, please click below.

“Senior leaders lead by example, modelling what is expected of all staff. Teachers feel valued and respected.”

OFSTED

“We want to thank you for welcoming my family when we moved here (from Bulgaria).”

the school gives me advice as a parent so I can help my daughter.

“Senior leaders lead by example, modelling what is expected of all staff. Teachers feel valued and respected.”

OFSTED

“Pupils who speak English as an additional language make rapid progress. Disadvantaged pupils are also supported well to make good,
and sometimes better, progress in reading, writing and mathematics.”

OFSTED

My children are thriving as the school is committed to learning and progression.

“The curriculum is well designed to include a range of exciting themes, visits and visitors to enhance pupils’ learning. Pupils become
confident individuals who are well prepared for the next stage of their education.”

OFSTED

“Leaders and staff have significantly improved the teaching of reading. Pupils are enthusiastic and frequent readers.”

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“We can only applaud the ingenuity & continued compassion of the young people at Boothferry.”

Open weeks in Foundation allows parents to enjoy school as much as our children.

My kids love the fruit on the snack table.

History day was amazing. Brilliant idea.

“School leaders are ambitious and highly knowledgeable about teaching and learning.”

OFSTED

The Head teacher and deputy are fab, they join in everything.”

Being part of their learning – it doesn’t just stay in the classroom.”

My children have come on and made progress socially and academically since joining.

You can approach any member of staff and they help you.

“The teaching of phonics is a strength and enables pupils to make rapid improvement in their early literacy skills. ”

OFSTED

Opening the school doors at 8.40am has made it much easier as it is less crowded.

“Teachers, including those who are new to teaching, have high expectations, and they plan creative lessons that spark pupils’ interest and inspire them to do well.”

OFSTED

Miss Pulleyn is fantastic

The photography club is brilliant, I think introducing things like this is brilliant for the children.

the amount of effort put in by the teachers to make topics interesting is brilliant.

“School leaders have taken effective action to ensure that pupils make at least good progress from their low starting points in reading,
writing and mathematics in all year groups.”

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I love seeing school events on Twitter.

The best thing about this school, when I ask my child this question, he said Mrs Emmerson. 

The choice to do a traditional nativity was great !.

I love the fact that senior members of staff know the names of the children.

“Leaders use funding well to ensure that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make strong progress from their different starting points.”

OFSTED

The friendly atmosphere, the safe environment & the teachers’ encouragement.”

Thank you for treating my child like your own.

The after school activities, film nights and discos.

The bike loan scheme.My family also like the school bank.

“Children get off to a strong start in early years. This is due to effective leadership and skilful teaching. The proportion of children reaching a good level of development is improving yearon-year.”

OFSTED

My son’s teacher is creative, enthusiastic and genuinely cares about him as an individual .

When ever I have had a problem the staff on the whole have been sympathetic and helpful.

My children are developing very well in school.

“The headteacher, senior leaders and governors are ambitious for pupils. Their determination has made Boothferry Primary a flourishing and successful school.”

OFSTED

I feel the school has advanced with regards to the appropriate curriculum for different age groups.

The stimulating learning environment. 

Boothferry at Young Voices…..Just WOW! What an experience.”

“Pupils’ personal development and welfare are outstanding. Pupils thrive and are keen to learn. They know how to look after their
wellbeing and how to keep safe. The school is an inclusive and happy place.”

OFSTED

“The headteacher, deputy headteacher and the assistant headteacher make an effective team. They sustain a culture of continuous i improvement through the school’s vision and specific learning goals, which include resilience, morality and adaptability.”

OFSTED

This school meets our expectations in every way.

The joy of the teachers who greet the children and parents daily.

..closeness between all age groups and years.