By Mark Cullen
At Woolston Brook we provide all pupils at KS2, 3 and 4 with a curriculum that is accessible to the individual learner, with the intent to inspire young minds in developing scientific understanding, thus unravelling the mysterious happenings of the surrounding world. We firmly believe scientific knowledge secures the foundations for building a brighter and better future, henceforth we strive to provide enriched schemes of work that lead to a range of qualifications tailored to our pupils.
At Woolston Brook pupils are provided with a broad and balanced curriculum that ensures a wealth of learning experience and prepares them for future success in life beyond the school grounds. The learning empowers pupils to appreciate the ever changing environment and equips them with essential aspects of scientific theory, methodology and real life application of science.
Pupils will develop the skills to recognise the need of rational explanations about naturally occurring phenomena and human driven global changes alongside developing a sense of excitement and curiosity. Pupils are encouraged to predict outcomes and determine patterns as well as review possible cause and effect through careful observation and recording of accurate data. Analytic skills are mapped throughout the curriculum, equipping pupils to draw scientifically sound conclusions.
Pupils are continuously challenged with new concepts to captivate their young minds, nurturing their interests and linking the learning to current events where possible.
The teaching involves adapting the curriculum to meet the needs of individual pupils which aids in regulating final attainment outcomes.
Science is taught in modules across KS2, Exploring Science in KS3 and 21st Century Science in KS4 and lessons are delivered using appropriate planning. Resources are adapted to allow differentiated learning.
From early on, pupils are encouraged to make predictions and test their ideas using practical experiments. They will consider how to make their tests fair and learn to take accurate measurements using a wide variety of specific apparatus, such as Bunsen burners, thermometers and Newton metres, make simple electrical circuits and use microscopes to explore the world close-up!
Pupils will have learned to communicate using appropriate scientific language. As they progress through the academic years they will conduct scientific experiments to investigate specific concepts. They will be able to display their results using tables and graphs. They will make conclusions using their findings and discuss ways in which their experiments could be improved.
Teamwork has been fostered by performing grouped tasks in both theory and practicals and increasingly they will have been encouraged to formulate and carry out their own investigations.
Pupils will develop an understanding through observation of how simple scientific concepts explain everyday phenomena and gain the confidence to question the world.