How we build champion scientists at Blackhorse:

A Champion Scientist leaving Blackhorse in Year 6 has secure scientific subject knowledge which they use to accurately describe and explain the physical world. Referring to this knowledge, they are able to: ask questions, make predictions and test hypothesis in a variety of ways. They can explain how science shaped our understanding of the world in the past, in the present and in the future.

Science at Blackhorse is taught through the enquiry curriculum and is sequenced, often alongside other subjects, to answer a big question (e.g How do we live a healthy life?). Science is broken down into knowledge and skills. There are 10 working scientifically skills which are taught through one of 5 enquiry types.

Extensive Opportunities:  Children benefit from a wide range of science related visits (for example: to the Bristol botanical garden when studying plants; to the Natural History Museum in London when studying fossils etc) and visitors (for example: doctors and other medical professionals from within the school community, sharing how the science learnt is applied within their work). 

The 'Blackhorse farm' is also used to provide an opportunity for children to develop an authentic understanding of plant growth and healthy eating, with the children's home-grown produce being used in the school kitchens. 

Expert Tuition: As the teachers at Blackhorse are not all science specialists, this year (2023-24) Emma Coode, the science leader is supporting all staff in their science planning to ensure that teaching is precise and well-matched to the stated progression document. As mentioned above, teaching is frequently enhanced by providing specialist visitors, and the school employes a Horticulture teacher to support children's understanding of how plants grow, linked to the school farm. 

Purposeful Practice: Core scientific knowledge has been clearly identified for each year-group and enquiry. Children are encouraged to recall this through regular quizzing. When developing their understanding of scientific enquiry, children are taught 10 skills, which they repeatedly practice and gradually master as they progress through the science curriculum:

Personal Effort: Children are expected to demonstrate personal effort within science both by attempting to recall key scientific knowledge, but also by taking responsibility for their safety and the safety of others when working scientifically. 

The knowledge part of science is also taught within our enquiry based learning but they follow the 2014 National Curriculum Programme of Study objectives - see below.