Science

At Oakfield Academy our Science curriculum provides pupils with a broad and balanced understanding of the three main disciplines of Science. We give our pupils sufficient Scientific knowledge to enable them all to make informed decisions and reasoned choices, as well as developing skills that can be used throughout their lives to better understand the world, we live in and the changes that continuously happen within it.

We firmly believe all pupils deserve an aspirational Science curriculum, which ignites their curiosity and creative ideas while encouraging a spirit of independent inquiry. We nurture a growth mindset culture, discussing relevant up to date Science issues and allowing them all the expand their education to their fullest.

Our curriculum is diverse and assessable by all pupils. It provides a better understanding of the uses and implementation of Science past, present and future, leaving the pupils the ability to apply the skills learnt to the world around us.

Head of Science: Mr M George

Science Teachers: 

Mrs H Curtis, Mr C Shaddick, Mrs R Gardner, Mr N Ward, Miss M Pike, Mr D Coleman and Mr O Mepham

Science Technician: Mrs C Hughes

Aims:

• To enjoy Science.
• Promoting that it is fine to get things wrong as long as we do this safely and learn from our mistakes.
• Understanding of key concepts to help solve problems in unfamiliar situations.
• Using scientific skills to solve problems in a disciplined way.
• Appreciating the contribution Science makes to society and realise that applying Science can lead to moral and ethical issues having to be addressed.

Most Key Stage 2 and all Key Stage 3 children are taught Science in Science labs, as timetabling allows.

The skills of Science are taught during each topic. Our students learn how to be scientists by developing skills in predicting, planning investigations, measuring, observing, recording results, displaying results, analysing results and evaluating the success of their investigations.

The Science Department has strong links with Frome College. We are continuously adapting and improving our schemes of learning to ensure that our students continue to have an excellent grounding in Science concepts and skills.

Implementation:

• Quality first teaching strategies and cognitive load theory are used when planning and teaching lessons.
• Our curriculum across each year builds on the skills from previous years, allowing pupils to retrieve information, thus developing schema, and to develop more sophistication through more challenge year on year.
• Cross curricular links are made explicit in teaching to enable pupils to embed skills and knowledge.
• Resources are kept up to date to ensure that the needs of pupils are always met
• Subject terminology is shared across the key stages and used regularly to develop skills and understanding; pupils are encouraged to use it in their learning.
• All staff are offered the opportunity to complete regular training to ensure that they are confident in teaching science.
• All staff promote a love for science in the way that they teach and showing how it applies to the world around us.
• Displays are regularly updated and pupils encouraged to use them to aid their learning.
• Growth mindset strategies are used to develop pupils resilience and confidence in science; Good work is regularly celebrated within school using several ways, such as displaying it in school, achievement points and contacting home.
• A wide range of intervention strategies are implemented from the start of the academic year to support pupils not meeting age expectations or not making expected progress; interventions are reviewed to monitor their effectiveness.
• Analysis of available data is used to aid future planning and to identify misconceptions across classes and year groups.

Impact:

At Oakfield academy, our pupils:

• Feel safe in taking risks with their learning and feel confident in answering questions, justifying their responses and forming opinions based upon their experiences.
• Can use their writing skills and knowledge to write for a range of genres, purposes, text types and audiences.
• Have a curiosity that engages them in their learning of new experiences, texts and contexts and are able to develop as independent learners.
• Use their skills and knowledge to apply them to new concepts and contexts.
• Analyse a range of texts using a range of reading skills and strategies.
• The majority of pupils meet or exceed age expectations.
• Have developed many skills required for them to successful in the next stage of their education and beyond.