Science

At Fonthill Primary Academy, we want to equip our children with the skills and knowledge needed to become the scientists of the future. We want Science to be taught practically, with chance for the children to learn through doing. We also want to ensure that each year, the children build knowledge on knowledge that they have learned before. We want them to have a depth of learning that enables them to understand the world around them. When children leave Fonthill we want them to be curious, confident and rational in the way they seek to answer questions.

We teach Science through the TILA Curriculum. This is set out in a two-year cycle, which sequences learning in a logical way that allows students to develop their knowledge and skills in small steps, coming back to refresh and deepen learning across a year and then again multiple times as they progress through school.

Science is taught discreetly, but links are made between subjects where they naturally occur. We aim to teach Science through the lens of our Golden Threads of Time, Technology and Human Endeavour. This gives the children a structure on which to build their learning and allows them to make strong links between subjects.

Each lesson is planned with a clear structure, which follows the pattern:

§ Review: To start the lesson, we look back at what we have previously learned, giving opportunities to develop speaking, and listening skills. We will then explain to the children what our learning intention is for that lesson, so that learning is clear.

§ Direct Instruction: At this point, the teacher will give direct instruction. This will enable the children to develop their knowledge and will also develop their subject specific skills.

§ Guided Practice: Once the teacher has modelled learning, children are given chance to practise what they have learned. This is through short tasks and longer, more developed outcomes.

§ Review: The lesson closes with a review of learning from this lesson. Here we aim to develop higher order skills and to check what the children have learned so that we can adapt our teaching to ensure that learning is secure.

For more details about our Science curriculum, click here.