Please report on actions this academic year (or since last report to Governors) in the following areas (if relevant)

HuttonChurch of England Primary School
Governors Subject Report
Name:Rachel Whiting / Date: June 2014
Subject: Science
School Development Plan:
Completed areas:
PSQM – A portfolio and 13 Reflections detailing the practice and impact of this has been submitted to PSQM website
See Impact table - attached.
Areas that need completion:
See impact table - attached
Data/Test results: (Overview, levels, gender issues, positives, concerns)
All data is recorded on Target tracker and is analysed by the subject leader 3 times a year. We assess the children 3 times a year – December, March and June/July
Using the data from the term 4 assessments. Levels are expected end of year levels.
Year 1 = 90 % working at or above 1b
Year 2 – 46% working at or above 2a
Year 3 – 41% working at or above 3c
Year 4 - 45% working at or above 3b
Year 5 - 83% working at or above 4c
Year 6 – 92 % working at or above 4b
Curriculum Map/S.O.W. update:
We will be implementing the New curriculum in September 14. It involves changes across both key stages. The Staff met on Wed 25th June to discuss the implications of these changes.
Policy update:
Updated to be reviewed
ICT in the subject:
Use of Log boxes in year 5 and 6 to measure the intensity of light and sound.
Assessment Procedures:
Each year group is assessed 3 times a year – term 2,4,6
We have trialled a focussed task assessment process with Year 2 and Year 5. The tasks reflected the scientific focus of the theme covered through the term. The tasks provided evidence for the assessment of Scientific enquiry and knowledge and understanding. This form of assessment highlights key areas that need to be addressed in order for the children to progress as expected through the school.
SEN (Pupil Premium): (How are pupils catered for in this subject.)
The teacher differentiates work for the less able children and usually the work is differentiated through outcome.
Staff Development: (Training you have led for staff, training you have attended, training staff have attended related to this subject.)
The subject leader has attended a Cluster meeting which led to the school taking part in the Science/Dt Challenge.
During these meetings we also discussed the implementation of the new Science Curriculum.
Developing the new curriculum – March 2014. Implementing the new curriculum.
No ‘formal’ CPD has been delivered to colleagues, however there is a constant communication between both parties. Informal discussions about CPD courses attended have been shared with colleagues and a staff meeting is planned for June 2014 to share thoughts regarding the new science curriculum with colleagues and to put together a new long term programme for Science. The science leader has shared good practices of planning with colleagues.
The impact of this is ‘informal’ CPD is evident in the children’s work and the growing confidence of colleagues to do more practical science. The subject leader has encouraged the use of skills based lessons rather than just knowledge based teacher talk lessons. It is evident that these practices are occurring in school, the work that was scrutinised during the monitoring process showed evidence of a wide variety of teaching styles compared to previous years.
Initiatives: Government, LEA or School
We have participated in the PSQM (Primary Science Quality Mark) this year and we hope to achieve the Silver award. The award celebrates the excellence in Primary Science and raises the profile of Science in Primary school
Resources: (Audits, resources purchased – why? Impact on learning and costs.)
New resources have been purchased. New batteries and electrical equipment ensure that the children are able to construct electrical circuits.
A model of the heart has been purchased to demonstrate to the children how a heart works.
Monitoring: (of lessons, planning, work)
Monitoring took place in March this year. A cross selection of work books were scrutinised from each class and areas of development and strengths were highlighted in the process.
How are we doing
We have had another successful Science Year at Hutton. The levels of achievement in year 6 and 2 are encouraging.
The children are engaged in science and enjoy Science lessons. I have been working closely with the Year 1 and 4 teachers. This has resulted in some fun, practical science happening in school
The Star time Science club to be proved to very popular and hopefully this will be repeated next year.
The nature club continues to be popular amongst our Key Stage 2 children. We meet once a week with John Coote and discuss issues relating to the local environment.
Cross curricula links with DT are strong. In year 1 and 2 children have had opportunities to make a house for the little pigs constructed from tested materials.
Year 5 and 6 entered the North Somerset Science Challenge
Where next?
Through the monitoring programme keys areas to develop are:
.
  • Children in upper KS2 need to be given more opportunities to repeat investigations to concrete strength of planning.
  • Need to develop the writing of Conclusions in upper Key Stage 2. Some children are simply writing what they found out, more able scientists need to explain why they think got the results they did.
  • Year 5/6 pupils need more opportunities to present their data in a graph.
Continue to maintain the enthusiasm and motivation of the children at Hutton.
  • Continue to search for outside agencies to visit school.
  • Continue nature club
  • Develop Science club through Star time
  • Maintain links with other school eg Science Cluster link.

Signed: