Ellington Primary School

We plan our science curriculum to cover the aims of the National Curriculum. Our adopted scheme of work enables pupils to meet the end of key stage attainment targets.

At Ellington Primary School, we have adopted The White Rose Education scheme of work, which uses a “small steps” approach to science teaching, and closely follows the national curriculum for science for years 1 - 6. It gives specialist and non-specialist teachers a one stop solution as they help children develop scientific understanding and grasp scientific ideas.

Careers in science and STEM sectors are also explored through visits, guest speakers and career focus days. Where possible, Science is incorporated into other areas of the curriculum.

Key Scientists

In each unit, classes learn about key scientists linked to that area of science and their discoveries. Our key scientists are detailed below. To encourage cross curricular learning, classes complete comprehension activities about two of their key scientists each year.

Working Scientifically

We teach the skills needed to work scientifically using the following enquiry types and symbols.

Dual Objectives

From the start of the Summer Term 2024, all science lessons from Year 1 to Year 6 involve having a dual objective. A dual objective ensures that every Science lesson has a Knowledge Objective (KO) in the form of a key question that the child should be able to answer at the end of the lesson and a Working Scientifically objective that helps to tell the pupils one way in which they are working as a scientist would. These Working Scientifically objectives are taken from the Working Scientifically Progression Document found below.

The Working Scientifically Progression Document helps inform teacher planning by showing how children in their year group should be designing investigations, presenting findings and drawing conclusions.

Working Scientifically Progression Document

Primary Science Quality Mark

In May 2024, Ellington Primary School was awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark. The Primary Science Quality Mark is a comprehensive, one-year, evidence-informed, professional development and school improvement programme. The aim of the mark is to equip primary science subject leaders with the knowledge, confidence, and expert support they need to transform the quality and profile of science education across the school, for all children.

Schools achieve a Primary Science Quality Mark following a rigorous process of self –evaluation.

The science subject lead is supported by compulsory CPD and expert mentoring. The subject leader works with colleagues across the school to:

audit existing provision in science and agree appropriate quality mark to work towards
create and implement an action plan to develop all aspects of science teaching and learning
complete a reflective submission with key pieces of evidence to demonstrate the impact of science leadership in the school

The Primary Science Quality Mark is led by the University of Hertfordshire.

Helen Sizer, PSQM Co-Director said: ‘By enabling effective science leadership, PSQM is powering the potential of all children to see the relevance and importance of science in their lives, now and in the future. Schools that have achieved a Primary Science Quality Mark have demonstrated a significant commitment to science leadership, teaching and learning and the profile and quality of science in each
accredited school is very high. Science subject leaders, their colleagues, headteachers, children, parents and governors should be very proud.”

You can read a review of the evidence that the school submitted to achieve the award below.

Ellington Primary School PSQM

Science Showcase

Here are some photographs of our Ellington Scientists in action! Stay tuned as we will be adding more examples and some of our wonderful work too.