Science

Intent

At Great Missenden Primary School, we are SCIENTISTS! It is our intent to instil a lifelong love of science within our pupils, no matter of where their starting point is, and an understanding of how science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity. This is all done by providing a high-quality science education where we provide doors for all children to walk through, through the opportunities and experiences we offer them. Our science curriculum aims to give all children a strong understanding of the world around them. Children are able to discover how the world works and our place, impact, roles and responsibilities within our environment through the windows they look through. Our children are encouraged to ask questions and apply their scientific skills and knowledge to investigate and find answers. Our children are able to develop a systematic and logical way of working and are able to reflect on investigations to develop knowledge and gain informative answers. Science allows children to be inquisitive and reflective in a safe environment, our children have the courage to push themselves out of their comfort zone and try new things. Science helps to develop confident, articulate and investigative learners.

Implementation

At Great Missenden we are mad about Science and we are thinking scientifically in all that we do; in addition to our independent Science lessons, we weave scientific thinking into many of our creative topics across the curriculum and encourage children to be involved in extra-curricular activities such as competitions, school trips, science week, themed days and after school clubs. These rich and exciting opportunities to learn help to develop a passion for science that everyone at Great Missenden can experience. 

Impact

To truly understand the impact of our Science curriculum, you have to come and see us!

To measure the impact, we have clear end points identified using unit assessment statements. Staff are therefore fully aware of the expectations of all children. We use a range of formative assessment in every Science lesson including concept cartoons, EXPLORIFY activities, recap quizzes. This information can then be used to inform our planning and short-term intervention 'Keep up, not catch up.' To measure progress, we use a range of assessment techniques at the end of each unit, for example double page spread, quiz, post unit thought shower, cross curricular writing.

The pupils of Great Missenden are Scientists. They enjoy the science experiences that we provide for them, both inside and outside of school. The children at our school recognise that Science is in everything that we do, not just in Science lessons. 

Pupil Voice

What do you like about Science? 

Cara (Y5): I enjoy it because you can understand how things work.  

Ivy (Y2): I like it because you can see what can do what. Let’s say, you want to see which material is good for a boat. You can test it out and see which material is best.  

Samuel (Y1): I enjoy science because you can learn about animals and what groups they’re in. 

Harry (Y5): I like the fun experiments and carousel activities. You don’t do that in other lessons.  

Our children leave Great Missenden more knowledgeable about the world around them. They recognise that science is all around us. They leave ready to challenge cultural stereotypes and leave with visions of improving the world they live in.