Primary Science at Park Community Academy
Early Years Foundation and Key Stage 1
Our early years foundation stage curriculum and some of our key stage one curriculum (dependant on pupil ability) is based on the government document: ‘The Framework for Early Years and Foundation Stage’. We ensure our curriculum is ‘child centred’ and that each individual guides their own journey at a pace that is suitable for them. We provide science skills and a quest to explore and gain knowledge through continuous provision which promotes curiosity and wonder for all.
Early Years Foundation and Key Stage 1
Framework
Key Stage 2 Rolling Program
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|
AUTUMN |
SPRING |
SUMMER |
|
YEAR 1
|
Animals Including Humans - All human aspects excluding teeth and digestion |
Materials |
Water |
|
YEAR 2
|
Earth and Space |
'Animal Care' Animals including humans - all animal aspects |
States of Matter and some Materials |
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YEAR 3
|
Investigations
|
Forces and Magnetism |
Plants |
|
YEAR 4
|
Electricity |
Animals Including Humans - teeth and digestive |
Seasonal Changes Living Things in their Habitats |
Secondary Science at Park Community Academy
Key Stage 3
In years 7, 8 and 9 the pupils of Park Community Academy follow a themed science curriculum that has been designed by Teachers at Park. The programme contains the required elements of the national curriculum ensuring the pupils experience a broad and balanced experience of science. The themed topics are relevant to the pupils, engaging and challenging.
Our three year programme:
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|
Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
|
YEAR 1 |
Animals Including Humans (All Human Aspects excluding Teeth and Digestion including evolution/inheritance if possible) |
Materials |
Electricity |
|
YEAR 2 |
Earth and Space |
‘Animal Care’ – Animals Including Humans (All animal aspects and evolution / inheritance if possible) |
States Of Matter and Some Materials |
|
YEAR 3 |
Animals Including Humans – Teeth and Digestive System |
Forces and Magnetism |
Plants / Seasonal Changes Living Things in their Habitats |
At Park Community Academy we are lucky enough to have a fully equipped Science lab meaning the majority of our lessons are practical. Science lessons in key stage 3 focus both on subject knowledge and scientific investigation in preparation for our pupils to progress to taking formal examinations in Key Stage 4.
Key Stage 4
When children enter key stage 4 they all complete an entry level qualification at either level 2 or 3 depending on their ability. We are currently using the Welsh Board Science today specification; this is part of their 
pathways qualification which means some of the units covered can be joined with other subject areas. In order to ensure the pupils receive the best possible level of qualification at the greatest weighting we start the pupils on this course as early as possible. This is usually in year 9; however, we have had children ready in year 8. The pupils are able to cover 2-3 units per year. There are a range of different units available to choose from, some are more academic and others are more vocational. The units the pupils will undertake over the period of their qualification is uniquely designed for each class group in order to ensure the pupils are engaged and excited about science.
An example two year WJEC Entry level programme for pupils who are more vocational.
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Year |
Units |
|
1 |
Introduction to animal care Introduction to plant care Introduction to land maintenance |
|
2 |
Science: Health and safety Food and Health Science and the plant world |
An example two year WJEC Entry level programme for pupils who are more academic.
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Year |
Units |
|
1 |
Science and the Human Body Working with Electrical circuits. Making useful compounds |
|
2 |
Variation and Adaptation Science and our Universe Chemical products used in the home and their environmental Impact |
General
At Park Community Academy we aim to teach pupils about the world around them, how to look after it and themselves. We have a school garden and large polytunnel where we grow flowers and vegetables, we feel learning outside the classroom is very important. We like to plant, care for and then eat the food we have grown. We have also used these resources for enterprise projects and the D of E award by selling flowers, hanging baskets and food made with our produce. We also have school pets to teach pupils the importance off looking after not only a pet but others around us. We have had giant snails, stick insects, rats and guinea pigs.
In order to get pupils excited about Science at Park Community Academy we often have special lessons for different events over the year for example at Halloween we get dry ice to experiment with and to give us a spooky feel to our lesson, at Christmas time we experiment with fake snow and we have even used CSI techniques to discover who kidnapped the Easter Bunny! At Park Community Academy we feel very lucky to have a science lab so, not only do we enjoy using it, we invite other school to come in for the day and experiment with us, in previous years students from Woodlands, Boundary Primary Academy and Revoe Learning Academy have all joined in the fun.
Our Science lab is also used to run subject specific training for Schools Direct Students. We run a full days training session where we cover the Science national Curriculum, planning, assessment, marking and scientific investigations, we feel they loved learning about some of the experiments even more than the children!
Curriculum science