Through our Science curriculum at Barby, we aim to give all children a strong understanding of the world around them whilst developing secure scientific skills (Procedural Knowledge). Our children follow a progressive curriculum where prior Declarative Knowledge is built upon and developed providing a vehicle through which they can think scientifically, gain an understanding of scientific processes and also an understanding of the uses and implications of Science both for today and for the future. 

At Barby, scientific enquiry skills (Procedural Knowledge) are taught throughout each topic of study; these topics are revisited and developed throughout the children’s time at school. Some topics, such as plants, are taught in both key stages. This curriculum model allows children to build upon their prior knowledge and increase their enthusiasm for the topics. They embed essential declarative knowledge into their long-term memory through a range of scientific enquiry skills.

All children are encouraged to develop and use a range of aspects of Scientific Procedural Knowledge including questioning, making observations, planning and investigating. These are carefully planned alongside our progression through Scientific Declarative Knowledge. Our children are encouraged to question the world around them and become independent learners in exploring possible answers for their scientific questions.

Specialist vocabulary for topics is progressively taught, revisited and built up; it is displayed in our classrooms and listed on our planning as well as being a key feature on the Knowledge Organisers that children use both in school and at home. Children are encouraged to use Tier 3 Scientific Vocabulary both in their discussions within lessons and in their written recording.

Examples of Knowledge Organisers