Our science curriculum involves all pupils learning a body of knowledge relating to the products and practices of science. By learning about the practices of science, our pupils will learn how scientific knowledge has come into being through scientific inquiry, learn that knowledge is open to revision as new evidence emerges. As each of our pupils learn science, they will also learn about its uses and its significance to society and their lives. This will highlight the contribution that science has made in the past.
The science curriculum at King’s Leadership Academy Hawthornes is research informed. It is mostly based on the ‘Best Evidence Science Teaching’ (BEST) project developed by the University of York Science Education Group (UYSEG) as well as the ‘big ideas in science’ put forward by Wynne Harlen and others. We have organised the various science topics and associated concepts in appropriately sequenced steps. This is so that pupils can build their knowledge of science systematically over time towards ambitious curriculum end points. Pupils’ knowledge of how to work scientifically is woven through each of the topics across Years 7 to 11.
We aim to ensure that all our pupils who are disadvantaged or have any special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have access to a carefully planned curriculum. Our curriculum aims to provide pupils with SEND with explicit systematic teaching and rehearsal of knowledge. We also ensure that these pupils have the time they need to study important subject content in [science].
The King’s Leadership Academy Hawthornes science curriculum has been developed to ensure that all pupils:
develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry, and physics
develop understanding of the nature, processes, and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
For each curriculum overview, additional documentation is available upon request. This documentation outlines more precisely the exact subject knowledge that your child must know and remember. These documents also include the types of teaching activities that subject staff have chosen to help your son/daughter learn the curriculum here at King's Hawthornes.
In order to check how well our pupils are learning the curriculum, teachers use a full range of assessment techniques. These include diagnostic questions to reveal your child’s scientific preconceptions and common misunderstandings, questioning and end of topic/learning cycle assessments.