SCIENCE SCHEME

Whole School Scheme of Work and approach

The school have invested in the Empiribox programme. Empiribox recognise that only a small percentage of primary school teachers have a science background and that many often lack confidence teaching this subject. With the new National Curriculum asking schools to teach the scientific method as well as the basic science knowledge, many teachers feel at a loss as to what to do in classes. The Empiribox system addresses these issues by giving full CPD accredited training to teachers each term, yearly for KS1, designed to increase confidence and understanding of science. Every term, Empiribox supply all the equipment and teaching resources to ensure that teachers have the tools at their fingertips to easily do engaging and inspirational science throughout the year.

Planning/Knowledge Organisers

The detailed lesson plans can be downloaded from the Empiribox website; these should then be adapted for each year group. In addition, knowledge organiser sheets and flashback questions are used in each new unit. The knowledge organisers include the main objectives, key vocabulary, and any links to scientists. These are then stuck into pupils' exercise books at the start of each unit. The science plans always include many ideas for cross-curricular opportunities. Each class is expected to tweet a selection of photographs to showcase the practical science experiments carried out in our school.

Key Stage One

There are 6 units in the rolling 2-year scheme for key stage one. Year 1 & 2 teach the same units together, with extension and differentiation depending on each year group. The units include 12 lessons and there is a text, poem or song to hook the children in. The lessons are very practical and introduce the children to key scientific concepts. A photo journal should be kept to log the practical experiments carried out by the children.

Key Stage Two

Key stage two follows a 4-year rolling scheme, with detailed lesson plans for each year group. The units are more clearly defined as Chemistry, Physics or Biology and there is a clear progression of the scientific skills being taught throughout the year. There are 12 lessons per unit, and the final lessons are a pupil-lead full investigation.