"Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity,

and is the torch which illuminates the world."

What do we aspire for our children?

At Rosslyn Park, children harbour a love of science and we nurture a genuine curiosity and sense of wonder about the world around us. We teach children the skills to lead their own learning by asking questions, making enquiries and giving them opportunities for self-reflection. Our Science curriculum promotes children’s physical and mental wellbeing by teaching them about keeping their bodies healthy and connecting with the natural world. It also promotes good working relationships between peers through group led investigations. Children are provided opportunities to be innovate scientists by planning their own experiments and using a range of engaging, stimulating resources.

At Rosslyn, all children relate to science and are empowered by other people’s experience. We study a diverse range of scientists from different genders, cultures, religions and backgrounds, as well as having different scientists visit our school. We show our pupils how inspirational science is, how important it is in our community and wider world now and in the future, and give them the skills and knowledge needed to be confident, knowledgeable and successful scientists.

How Do We Teach the Curriculum?

Alongside teaching the Scientific knowledge outlined in the national curriculum, we teach through the strands of Scientific Enquiry: research, observing, pattern seeking, fair testing and grouping and classifying. Enquiry-based science adopts an investigative approach to teaching and learning, where students are provided with opportunities to investigate a problem, search for possible solutions, make observations, ask questions, test out ideas, think creatively and use their intuition. From early years, children are encouraged to lead their own learning and to make their own discoveries, with carefully structured lessons and access to a wealth of scientific resources. Science is taught with a focus on collaborate working, encouraging children to listen and respond to each other’s ideas and questions.

The use of Floor Books along side individual topic books give each class a record of their whole class learning journey through photographs, children’s comments, drawings, tables, graphs, annotated diagrams, classification keys and writing. Having a class record means it is easier to track changes in children's ideas and understand how children are developing their understanding of science. Children enjoy looking through this record of learning and take pride in reflecting on experiments and investigations they have taken part in.

Teaching Science through English and Reading

Each Science Topic is interweaved with the other curriculum subjects to ensure the children are gaining as much contextual knowledge as possible, and can see links to science through other subjects. Our Reading lessons are intentionally sequenced to develop children's background knowledge and widen their science subject-specific vocabulary. We plan and provide opportunities for children to independently read age-appropriate texts that link to the Science topics being studied.

How Do We Know Our Science Curriculum is Effective?

We believe that if children have become knowledgeable and investigative scientists, then they will be able to articulate their understanding with confidence. This is why pupil voice is an important tool in assessing whether children have made progress. If a child is able to confidently explain their research, observations and investigations, then the curriculum and its delivery have been successful.