Science

"To build safe, independent lives for autistic young people through support, understanding and enablement"

Science at Springfields 

In a world where being able to question, investigate and discuss theories dominates, our science curriculum is suitably designed to provide opportunities for students to practice these crucial skills via the teaching of a broad range of key concepts that are related to the pupils’ everyday life. At Springfields Academy, the science curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils can: 

•     Develop their own ideas or theories 

•     Test their ideas using scientific equipment competently and safely 

•     Present and evaluate evidence that will inform themselves and educate others 

•     Discuss important scientific issues in everyday life 

•     Recognise and use appropriate vocabulary when describing, explaining and analysing scientific phenomenon 

Implementation: 

From Explorer 1 to 4, pupils will develop their science knowledge via an enquiry led approach. Following a two-year cycle, pupils will respond to twelve different enquiry questions. These questions link to whole school enquiry themes. We want our pupils to be engaged in their learning and we aim to always make the learning fun, relevant and meaningful.   

Each enquiry theme has key driver subjects, with enquiry questions created to link to these. Enquiries follow the National Curriculum as a guideline for objectives as well as providing the necessary foundational knowledge required for pupils planned trajectory when they reach the pathfinder stage of their Springfield’s journey – completing the qualification that is right for them.   

Science objectives will be covered in the following themes, with three different questions to answer as pupils progress through the explorer stages: 

Through the enquiry led approach, science learning will be fully immersive as well as cross-curricular. Pupils will link ideas across all foundation subjects, aiding knowledge retention and securing a better understanding of new concepts.  

Themes: 

The themes drive the enquiry and allow pupils consistency of learning as they progress through the school. Science coverage within the themes will be as follows: 

Me and My World 

Within this theme, pupils will begin by learning about the human skeleton and muscles, as well as the digestive system and teeth. They will then progress to learning about puberty and the changes that occur as human develop to old age. Additionally, within this theme they will also begin learning about the circulatory system, evolution and inheritance as foundational knowledge for Entry Levels.  

My Healthy Body 

This theme begins with exploring healthy lifestyles, including hygiene - handwashing, cleanliness etc. Pupils will then move on to looking at how we can have a healthy balanced diet – learning all about nutrition and the Eatwell plate. Following this, pupils will progress to learning about reversible and irreversible changes as well as solids, liquids and gases. They will develop skills to separate mixtures such as filtering, sieving and evaporating. They will also develop knowledge and understanding about personal hygiene, positive and negative lifestyle choices, microorganisms and viruses.  

Our Natural World 

In ‘Our Natural World’ pupils begin their learning by exploring plants and trees, aiming to be able to name parts of a plant, understand and remember the basic structure of common plants as well as learning how to look after plants. Following this, pupils will develop an understanding of the lifecycle of plants and explore rocks and soils. They will learn how to sort and group living things by their characteristics. Following this, pupils will then learn about reproduction of plants, as well as vegetation belts and world biomes.  

Changes in our World 

This theme begins by learning about weather patterns in the UK and different types of weather. Pupils will also develop knowledge about seasonal changes. Building on this, pupils will learn about the water cycle, evaporation, condensation, as well as developing knowledge or temperature. In their final enquiry, pupils will build on prior knowledge to understand and learn about different features of the earth.  

Amazing Animal World 

The ‘Amazing Animal World’ theme starts with learning all about animals (including humans) and their habitats, including their diet, and how to care for living things. Pupils will also learn about lifecycles, microhabitats and habitats changing during seasons. Pupils should be able to identify, compare, sort and group common animals. In their second enquiry, pupils will build on prior knowledge and will learn to identify and group different animals, as well as learning more about different animal diets - carnivores, herbivores, omnivores. In their final enquiry, pupils will develop knowledge about adaptations, food chains, ecosystems. They will also learn about classification of animals, offspring, selective breeding.  

Inspiring Inventors and Inventions 

This theme covers everyday materials and uses in the first enquiry. Pupils will then progress to learn about light and dark, exploring shadows, as well as sun protection and damage. Following this, pupils will develop their knowledge about everyday materials and also begin learning about electricity.  

The Science of our World 

The final enquiry to incorporate science objectives is ‘The Science of Our World’. Within this, pupils will start by exploring the science of sound and how sound is made. They will also learn to compare pitch and volume. Following this, pupils will develop their science skills whilst exploring forces, friction, magnetism. Finally, pupils will then develop knowledge and understanding about Earth and space, as well as our solar system. They will learn about day and night, as well as the rotations of the Earth. Furthermore, they will also look at forces, including air resistance, water resistance and gravity.  

Science Skills 

Alongside the enquiries, pupils will develop progressive science skills in the Springfields Lab, following a passport style document that allows the skills to be ‘signed off’. These will be the skills they need to successfully complete their future qualifications in Year 10 and 11.  

Enquiry Challenge  

At the end of their enquiry, pupils will have the opportunity to share their final piece of work with peers, staff and families. They will also answer their enquiry question, drawing on the knowledge they have learnt and remembered throughout the term.  

From Explorer 1 through to 4, pupils will be following the enquiry route for the following subjects: 

•     Science 

•     History 

•     Geography 

•     Art 

•     DT 

•     Computing 

•     Music 

•     RE – Delivered through a variety of SMSC days 

Impact of the Science Curriculum: 

All Springfields pupils will leave the academy with functional scientific skills to lead a safe independent life. This will be evident in all pupils achieving as a minimum the Entry Level qualification in Science; some may achieve GCSE Science through a personalised provision plan.