Welcome to our science page.
Intent
At Seven Stars, we love delving into the world of exploration and investigation.
OUR SCIENCE VISION
‘At Seven Stars we discover and explore the word around us using practical and hands on experiences that encourage our curiosity and questioning
The Curriculum
1. Core knowledge and skills
The teaching of science knowledge is embedded through practical enquiry and investigation. This hands on approach develops the children’s enquiry and investigation skills. We use a number of strategies that makes the knowledge stick and the knowledge and skills progress over the child’s time in school.
2. The World
At Seven Stars our children enquire, investigate and question the world around them. From early years through to year 6, our children spend time outside exploring and understanding our environment. We look at the impact of humans on our world and how we can play a vital role in protecting our planet. Our classes regularly go on trips, residential and invite visitors in school to get different experiences and perspectives of science in the wider world that they wouldn’t normally get.
3. Healthy body, Healthy Mind and Healthy Lives
Each year group at Seven stars focuses on the human body and how it works. By Year 6 we aim for our children to have a good understanding of themselves and what is going on as they grow and develop.
Science links with both our PE and PSHE curriculum looking at how exercise or lack of affects our body and mind. The children explore how we can keep our bodies healthy thinking about diet, exercise but also what might be harmful to us.
4. Creativity
At Seven Stars, we recognise that each children learns and develops as an individual and we all see the world through different eyes. We encourage creativity in science by recording and reporting in a variety of ways using drama, ICT, models and observational drawing. You might find us recording our knowledge on T-shirts, tables or windows! We work practically as often as we can and celebrate new ways of recording and sharing our work.
5. Communication and language
Language is a key element in our scientific knowledge which is why scientific vocabulary can be seen throughout school. We aim for children to be able to think and explain like a scientist. Discussion and questioning is used in every lesson and children are encouraged to use key scientific language in their discussion and explanation.
Each class covers Science Objectives from the National Curriculum which are taught discretely in Science sessions once a week. We often invite visitors in to help us understand Science in the wider world and we take part in many extra-curricular activities such as Mad Science, gardening club and outdoor learning.
Implementation
How do we deliver Science at Seven Stars Primary School?
. All classes have a long term plan that is split into the units covered over the year. From this the teachers plan for each unit using the Lancashire PLAN documents which has been approved by subject lead through consultation of the staff and governors.
. Science is taught for at least 1 hour each week and in some cases up to 2 hours depending on the unit taught. This is taken from the medium term planning created by each teacher.
Teachers use a wide range of high-quality resources to promote practical, hands-on science learning, enabling pupils to test their understanding and apply their skills effectively. At Seven Stars, teachers frequently use Developing Experts to provide interactive learning opportunities and real-life examples of science in the wider world. In addition, platforms such as Explorify, Oak National Academy, Inspiring Science and other interactive resources are used to enrich lessons, support conceptual understanding and ensure the subject is taught effectively and engagingly.
.Teachers Units are taught in blocks each half term but some units like Seasons are spread out over the year so the children can observe changes effectively.
. Special STEM weeks are planned into the timetable each year where the children can focus on a particular scientific enquiry skill and research a famous scientist.
. Visitors are invited into school from Stem Ambassadors and MAD Science to give children insight into the real world of Science and compliment our curriculum.
. All children have an individual science book but practical science may be recorded on Evidience Me as photos and videos.
Assessment
Assessment in science at Seven Stars is ongoing and purposeful, supporting teachers in understanding pupils’ progress and identifying next steps in learning. Teachers use a combination of formative assessment strategies, including questioning, observation, discussion, pupil voice and the evaluation of written and practical work, to assess scientific knowledge, skills and understanding. Key assessment points are built into units of learning to check security of concepts and identify misconceptions.
Each unit begins with the children completing a KWL grid in written or verbal form with the class. On this the children say what they already know about the subject and what they want to find out. At the end of the unit, the children complete the final column which shows what they have learnt over the half term. Teacher's will then record the attainment of each children at the end of each unit using TAPS and the PLAN work examples.
Assessment information is used to inform planning, provide support or additional challenge where needed, and ensure that all pupils make good progress in developing secure scientific knowledge, enquiry skills and confidence.
Impact
The impact of our Science teaching is evident in our work and environment.
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Children will have the scientific knowledge and skills and needed to investigate the world around them, make choices and solve enquiry problems.
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Through our science curriculum they gain a better understanding of science in real life and how it is used in different jobs and roles.
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Children are becoming independent learners having strong opinions that can be backed up with scientific evidence.
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Children will have a secure understanding of, and be able to apply the scientific skills that progress through each year group.
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Children can question the world around them and find ways to answer their questions
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Children can test fairly, measure and observe change
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Impact is measured through qualitative assessment as mentioned above. In addition, we measure impact by carrying out annual pupil/staff/parent questionnaires and interviews as well as working closely with the Science ambassadors
Science Around School
At Seven Stars, each class has a science display board that shows what they are doing in science that term. It also shows the elements of scientific enquiry used in our lessons over the year as well as a build up of knowledge and vocabulary. We have science exercise books to record our individual work and group work. We have a fantastic outdoor area which includes a vegetable patch, pond and nature area. We have a huge are of land with trees and bushes which are great for nature exploration. Our science work is often displayed in the school corridor and at Science events in school like the Science Fair and dedicated assemblies.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
At Seven Stars, we carefully consider the individual needs of every child to ensure full access to high-quality science learning. Our learning environments are thoughtfully organised and supported by a wide range of resources that enable all pupils to participate successfully. In science, visual supports, key vocabulary and word banks are used to scaffold understanding and support recording. Teachers provide clear modelling and structured scaffolding when required, particularly during practical investigations, and offer a range of recording methods to meet the diverse needs of each class. Collaborative learning is encouraged, and outcomes may vary in format across groups, reflecting the differing needs and strengths of learners.
For pupils who find it challenging to retain information, teachers may pre-teach key vocabulary and key concepts in advance to build confidence and understanding. Important knowledge from each lesson is revisited through classroom displays, ongoing discussion and regular recap opportunities. Retrieval practice is a valued approach at Seven Stars, and lessons frequently begin with short retrieval activities to reinforce prior learning, strengthen memory and support long-term understanding.
Greater Depth
We can extend and challenge more able children in science by providing rich, open-ended learning experiences that promote curiosity, depth of thinking and independence. This includes offering differentiated tasks that move beyond factual recall towards higher-order enquiry, opportunities to plan and carry out their own investigations, and regular exposure to real-world scientific contexts. Targeted questioning, stretch objectives and access to advanced vocabulary help deepen conceptual understanding, while enrichment such as science clubs, specialist visitors, outdoor learning and cross-curricular projects further inspire and extend learning. Ongoing assessment will identify pupils who need additional challenge, ensuring they are supported to think critically, reason scientifically and develop the skills, resilience and enthusiasm needed to excel.