Science

Intent – what does the Science curriculum intend to do?

At Timbertree Academy, we recognise the importance of science in every aspect of daily life. Therefore, we encourage children to be inquisitive throughout their time at school and leave a legacy of scientific thinking beyond this - preparing our children for careers in the STEM industry.

From EYFS to Year 6, our science curriculum, following close guidance to the National Curriculum sequence and content, fosters a natural curiosity for science through the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics, enabling all children to develop and acquire a range of progressive knowledge, skills and rich vocabulary. Our evidence-based science curriculum has been designed to promote a mastery of procedural and disciplinary knowledge through deliberate practice, spaced retrieval and interleaving with other subjects. Through high-quality teaching resources, experiences, rich learning modules and careful planning, we aim to enhance the children’s science capital.

Implementation – how is the curriculum implemented?

Within EYFS, science is taught as part of a play-based curriculum through Understanding of the World, allowing children to make sense of the world around them through carefully planned provocations and adult-led activities. As a result, children are equipped with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for Year One.

From EYFS to Year 6, knowledge is taught weekly, through a progressive modular approach, in which pupils study new content, skills and vocabulary in depth. Careful sequencing enable purposeful connections to prior learning in order to ease the forgetting curve and develop long-term retention; some modules are later revisited to allow for spaced retrieval. At Timbertree, science learning is split into substantive concepts which run from EYFS through to Year 6. These ideas provide a pathway for prior learning to be built upon and to build conscious connections with the world around us.

Science capital is enriched further through trips, virtual links and learning experiences to create wider links, helping children to understand the relevance of science in the real world.

Impact – what progress will children make?

At our school, we believe all our pupils have the potential to succeed. Through our high-quality teaching of science alongside our knowledge-rich curriculum, we realise a community of enthusiastic scientists who enjoy developing scientific skills and deepening their knowledge. Children are confident to ask questions and challenge their scientific predictions, and love to discuss and share their thoughts.

Our pupils are prepared to apply scientific knowledge and skills across a range of different contexts; appreciate the relevance and importance to science in everyday life and develop aspirations for a career in the STEM industry.

Aims of the Science Curriculum

Our Science curriculum pays close attention to guidance provided by the National Curriculum sequence and content. It is infused with evidence-led practice and enriched with retrieval studies to ensure long-term retention of foundational knowledge. The foundations of our science curriculum are cemented in the EYFS through learning within the Natural World, and People, Culture and Communities. Our ambitious interpretation of the National Curriculum places knowledge, vocabulary, working and thinking scientifically at the heart of our principles, structure and practice

National Curriculum for Science aims to ensure that all pupils:

• develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
• develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
• Are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

Primary Science Quality Mark Gilt – November 2023 

We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark at Gilt level! 

Primary Science Quality Marks have been awarded to 425 nursery, infant, junior, primary, middle, international and special schools this month to celebrate their commitment to excellence in science leadership, teaching and learning. So far, since its national launch in 2010, more than 5000 Primary Science Quality Marks (PSQM) have been awarded, creating a solid foundation of quality science education for over 1,000,000 children. 

PSQM is a comprehensive evidence-based professional development programme that effectively develops science leadership, ensuring teachers have the knowledge, capability and support they need to transform science education and shape future generations. 

The Primary Science Quality Mark is led by the University of Hertfordshire. 

Helen Sizer, PSQM Co-Director said: ‘By enabling effective science leadership, PSQM is powering the potential of all children to see the relevance and importance of science in their lives, now and in the future. Schools that have achieved a Primary Science Quality Mark have demonstrated a significant commitment to science leadership, teaching and learning and the profile and quality of science in each accredited school is very high. Science subject leaders, their colleagues, headteachers, children, parents and governors should be very proud.”