Science

Vision: At Cannon Lane we nurture children’s scientific curiosity, strengthen their scientific skills and deepen their understanding. We want children to apply their scientific expertise to the world around them. 

Science themed days and educational trips and workshops such as day trips to the Greenwich Observatory and palaeontology workshops at the Natural History Museum to enable children to further enrich their learning and love for science.

Cannon Lane has proudly achieved the ‘Primary Science Quality Mark’ (PSQM) again this past year. This is the only national award scheme which develops and celebrates the quality of science teaching and learning and enables schools to work together to share good practice supported by professional development. 

A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

Aims

We aim to ensure that:

• The children develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
• The children 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
• The children are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future
• Teachers meet their statutory obligations with regards to the teaching of science.
• We raise science standards by promoting a high standard of excellence and consistency of approach amongst all staff
• Procedures for planning and assessment enable a broad and balanced curriculum that has continuity and progression and addresses equal opportunities
• We foster a positive attitude to science as an interesting and exciting part of the curriculum
• We foster in children the confidence to apply their knowledge, skills and ideas in real life contexts both within and outside the classroom and become aware of the uses of science in the wider world
• We provide children with scientific experiences that develop their understanding of themselves and the world in which they live
• Children develop the enquiry skills of predicting, asking questions, making inferences, concluding and evaluating based on evidence and understanding and use these skills in investigative work
• We introduce and extend children’s knowledge and understanding and know that scientific ideas change and are modified
• We develop the ability of pupils to communicate their ideas using appropriate scientific vocabulary.
• We encourage safe practice in all areas of science
• We provide the children with the competence and confidence to deal with a life in an increasingly scientifically complex society

 Cultural Capital 

At Cannon Lane we enjoy celebrating science and STEM week annually. Over the years children have enjoyed workshops about coding, creepy crawlies and forensics!