Important Information

Welcome to our school website. We hope you find it useful. If you are unable to find the information you are looking for please contact the school.

IMPORTANT
Schools are closed until at least February half term and will move to remote learning only from today. See application form for pupils of critical workers sent via text and email today. School will be open for those pupils and vulnerable children from Wednesday 6th January. Remote learning for all pupils will be in place from tomorrow. See the Remote Learning page on the website and log-in to the VLE. We will be using Zoom for live teaching. See below for a link to our Zoom guide. Paper learning resources for the next 2-3 weeks will be ready for collection and/or delivered from Wednesday. You will be sent a year group time slot later tomorrow to tell you when to collect. Class teachers will be contacting all parents to discuss your child's learning as soon as possible. If you have any queries about the lockdown or your child's learning please contact the school via admin@lakeside.doncaster.sch.uk

If during the lockdown period you have any problems or issues that you need help with or would like to discuss please email: emergencyenquiries@lakeside.doncaster.sch.uk or admin@lakeside.doncaster.sch.uk or phone the school during school hours.

If you have a safeguarding concern about a child or family then please contact Doncaster Children’s Services Trust on 01302 737777

For a guide to using Zoom please our Zoom guide on our school website https://www.lakesidedoncaster.com/page/using-zoom/90148

Lakeside Primary Academy

Science

Curriculum Aims
The 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.


At Lakeside we believe Science stimulates pupil’s curiosity, develops their sense of enquiry and their understanding of the world around them. Children learn to work as scientists, planning and undertaking practical investigations on their own and with others.

 

The importance of Science.

Primary science helps pupils to:

- investigate problems 
- learn how science works
- discover why science matters in the world.
 

How is Science taught at Lakeside?

Science is taught using Cornerstones curriculum which has four stages.

Children will progress through four distinct stages of learning in each ILP – Engage, Develop, Innovate and Express.

We also use Love To Investigate to aid investigations every half term. These are linked to the topic and used even when Science isn’t a main driver. 


At Early Years Foundation Stage, activities are planned in relation to the “Understanding the World” area of the foundation stage curriculum. Children’s progress and achievements are assessed against the Early Learning Goals at the end of reception.


In Key Stages 1 and 2 the science curriculum is planned through cross curricular topics and specific science lessons. Science planning follows our scheme of work which ensures that the essential skills are met within each phase. Children complete at least 1 science investigations per half term.


Wherever possible, links are made between other subject areas including literacy, maths, ICT and Geography. The relevant essential science skills are covered through the topic areas taught. In Key Stage 1 pupils begin to explore, collect and evaluate evidence and communicate their findings through the use of scientific language, drawings, charts and photographs. At Key Stage 2 pupils plan and carry out their own investigations and apply their scientific knowledge to real life problems and discuss the most appropriate way to communicate their ideas.
 

How was the Science Curriculum developed at Lakeside?

-As a school we identified gaps in progression and knowledge in foundation subjects. SLT researched several options for developing a new curriculum, liaising with staff, other schools and analysing resources.
-As a school we decided to adopt the Cornerstones tool to develop our curriculum. A representative from Cornerstones worked with school leaders to explain how the online platform and units of work were developed and training was given to teachers to access these resources.
-Each year group was asked to look at the available units and identify 5 of the 9 that had the greatest breadth of study and matched the teacher and children’s interest, needs and gaps in knowledge.
-The chosen units were identified across the school and then the online system allowed us to identify gaps in knowledge. Coverage was considered in phases FSU, KS1, Y3-4, Y5-6.
-An appreciative enquiry took place at school in Autumn 2019 and although this was not focussed on any subject specifically parental, staff and pupil views on the new curriculum were gathered. Views were overwhelmingly positive with children commenting on enjoying new topic and having more explicit topic launches.
-The science lead analysed the progression map from the Cornerstones online and used this to  create the school progression map to ensure that this relevant, challenging and addressed the needs of our pupils cultural capital.
-Care was taken to ensure that all parts of the national curriculum including the aims were incorporated.
-After the first year a book look took place and evidence of the actual curriculum taught was collected. Any gaps were identified. In discussion with the teacher some elements of the curriculum/ long term progressions map were adapted and guidance and support was given to teachers about which lessons to add in order to ensure key skills and knowledge are taught and retained. 
-The curriculum will continue to be reviewed yearly by looking at books, talking to children and staff and assessment data.
 

Children are naturally curious. Science at primary school should nurture this curiosity and allow them to ask questions and develop the skills they need to answer those questions. 

 

What Science Knowledge is taught at Lakeside? 

Each year the key science knowledge builds on learning from the previous years.

The long term overview to show which knowledge is taught in each year group can be found in the documents below.

 

Scientist of the half term

Every half term all the children will be learning about a different famous scientist. Check the school blog to see what scientist it is this half term.

 

PQSM - Primary Quality Science Mark

As a school we have just began our journey to gain the PQSM by the end of school year. 

We will be ensuring the Science within Lakeside is engaging, exciting and ensures children make good progress. 

 

Supporting Science at home

Taking part in a Science invesgation at home can be a great way to have fun with your child. 

There are lots of great websites with ideas on for you to try at home. If you do any please upload them to the website. We would love to see them. 

https://www.stem.org.uk/home-learning/primary 

https://www.science-sparks.com/ 

https://pstt.org.uk/resources/curriculum-materials/Science-Fun-at-Home 

 

How do I find out more information about the science curriculum? 

If you have any questions about this area of the curriculum please speak to your child's class teacher initially or Mrs Bossons (who can be contacted through the school office).

 

Files to Download

Science Vocabulary Progression Working Scientifically Vocabulary Progression Long term overview Lakeside Vision

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Lakeside Primary Academy

Sandy Lane, Doncaster, DN4 5ES

T: 01302 368879

E: admin@lakeside.doncaster.sch.uk

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