'The important thing is to never stop questioning' - Albert Einstein
Key Principles - Our Intent
What makes a good Scientist?
The ability to think independently and raise questions about working scientifically and the knowledge and skills that it brings. Confidence and competence in the full range of practical skills, taking the initiative in, for example, planning and carrying out scientific investigations. Excellent scientific knowledge and understanding which is demonstrated in written and verbal explanations, solving challenging problems and reporting scientific findings. High levels of originality, imagination or innovation in the application of skills. The ability to undertake practical work in a variety of contexts, including fieldwork. A passion for science and its application in past, present and future technologies.
These are the principles in which we embed our scientific curriculum; enthusing our children in the wonderful world of Science.
Our scientific enquiry process -Implementation
Exploring, observing, discussing leads to….
Questions
Which leads to…
The 5 types of working scientifically
Fair testing
Observing changes over time
Pattern seeking
Research
Identification and classification
Which leads to evidence which leads to conclusions. And often more questions.
We work closely with the Science Learning Partnership
If you require any further information or paper copies, please contact Miss Allcock via the school office on 01925 266764 or email appletonthorn_primary@warrington.gov.uk
We look at aspirational people
Marie Curie
Because of Scientific work by Marie and Pierre Curie, x-rays became available for use in diagnosing and treating medical problems, including everything from broken bones to cancer.
Amazingly, Marie Curie herself helped with medical aid during World War One; she made sure that ambulances contained the necessary x-rays, even driving them to the battlefields herself.
These acts earned her the place as head of radiology for the International Red Cross.
Knowing More and Remembering More
Our pupils use knowledge organisers to support their learning and to help them remember more in the long term.
Curriculum Implementation
Learn more about how we teach Science here:
Our Science lessons at Appleton Thorn are sequenced using the school’s key concept overview. This is where knowledge and skills are structured using the ATP Ambitious creative curriculum. Moreover, pupils learn through scientific enquiry skills, with the utilisation of the Developing Experts scheme, as a vehicle for teaching science and adapted for our pupils. At ATP, Teachers have the flexibility to teach whole afternoons/days on science rather than weekly timetabled slots. In addition, throughout the school year, science lab coats are used to further strengthen children’s use of scientific vocabulary across the whole school. This means that, key vocabulary can be added to the lab coat after each lesson, for children to refer to throughout the topic and throughout the school year. At the end of each school year, the lab coat is passed up to the next year group and the same process continues to happen. By the end of Year 6, children will have key scientific vocabulary from their school journey to refer back to, which will help cement their scientific knowledge.
Furthermore, each unit of science vocabulary is placed into children’s science books to start a new topic in the form of a knowledge mat. The aim is for the children to be able to read, understand and spell the words scientific vocabulary correctly, but also to refer to like the lab coats. Additionally, PLAN knowledge matrices are available to refer to on our G-Suite and staff use them to check prior learning and to identify any gaps in pupils’ learning
A weekly class certificate is dedicated to ‘scientist of the week’ and is shared on the learning platforms in Years R-6, to ensure science has a high profile.
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