Science

The aim of our Science Curriculum is to promote and foster a natural curiosity about the world we live in and to inspire creative, thoughtful and innovative approaches to exploration and investigation. We recognise Science as core provision and appreciate its value in providing cultural capital and an understanding of the World around us.

Our curriculum ensures that our learners experience the full breadth of the National Curriculum for Science, regardless of their learner pathway. Our offer is inclusive and aspirational for all learners. We seek to create motivated and engaged young scientists, aware of the role Science plays in our changing world and the role that our children might play within Science.

We believe the Essential Characteristics of Science are:

The ability to think independently and raise questions about working scientifically and the knowledge and skills that it brings.
Confidence and competence in the full range of practical skills, taking the initiative in, for example, planning and carrying out scientific investigations.
Excellent scientific knowledge and understanding which is demonstrated in written and verbal explanations, solving challenging problems and reporting scientific findings.
High levels of originality, imagination or innovation in the application of skills.
The ability to undertake practical work in a variety of contexts, including fieldwork.
A passion for science and its application in past, present and future technologies.

Penruddock Primary School joined the Eden Science Hub in 2022 to ensure these charcaterisitcs were built into our scheme. As an active member of and in partnership with the hub we adopted the Science Hub Bespoke Curriculum.

Our curriculum is built upon a duel objective science modelling approach where concrete science models are used within each unit to help children build understanding on prior knowledege and enable them to make sense of otherwise abstract scientific theories and challenging scientific understanding. These models are threads which run through all the units as the scheme progresses and they therefore deepen children's understanding of scientific principles as they progress through the the school.

Models used are:

Big Picture Model - physical models and diagrams of structures and systems
Energy Transfer Model - energy can be transferred but not destroyed
Force Arrow Model - shows direction and magnitude of forces on an object
Particle Model - demonstrates that all matter is made of particles which can be disturbed

The scheme is built on 2 key learning strands with 5 sub strands beneath them. Objectives for each unit are taken from one sub-strand under each of the 2 key learning areas.

The learning strands are:

Knowledge and Understanding
- Explaining Science
- Classification
Working Scientifically
- Designing Experiments
- Data tables and Graphs
- Making Conclusions

Our Science progressive skills are built within each area and can be viewed in detail on the tabs below.

Our Science Subject Leader is Mrs Johnson. Further information and topic coverage can be found in the curriculum tab on the right hand side. Our photo gallery is below.

Skill Progression

Beautiful Butterfly

Class one had a new arrival over the May half term! They've watched the caterpillars grow and turn into chrysalis, then over the half term holidays our beautiful butterfly emerged and was released into the garden!

Class 1 Butterfly

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Forces with Class Three: Investigating Balancing Forces Using Levers

Forces with Class 3- Experimenting with Catapults

Reception have been hunting for and identifying minibeasts!

Blencathra Class are looking at how things grow this half term. They've been busy planting and learning about the different parts of plants, we'll keep you updated on any plant growth!

Helvellyn explored soil with magnifying glasses and sieves to find out what it is made of.

Helvellyn finding out all about rocks

Reception hunt for signs of Spring!

Reception children went on the hunt for signs of spring around school, they did some writing and drawing of the things they found.

Blencathra Class interview Neil Armstrong!

The children wrote questions in English and then we used an AI DexBot to ask questions!

Signs of Winter

The children were out on the school field looking for signs of winter; finding ice in the mud kitchen and the water tray, frost on the leaves and branches and making footprints on the frosty grass.