The intended learning within this AoL, including core concepts & skills
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We intend for children to leave Oaklands with greater understanding of how to keep themselves mentally and physically healthy and happy. Therefore our curriculum includes topics taken from both SCIENCE KS1 & PSHE. All sessions in a Science & Environmental Education Big Day MUST use scientific ways of working, thinking & communicating, which includes:
The three-year topic cycle is as follows:
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Learning from science is also embedded within our PSHE framework under the following themes:
The full PSHE curriculum is available in the Teaching of PSHE & RSE at Oaklands document.
How this AoL complements the wider curriculum
Observing the world around us and scientific ways of thinking, seeing and doing are fundamental aspects of being human that we want all of our children to experience. Close visual and sound discrimination and sustained attention are also key areas of development for all Oaklands pupils which S&EE sessions can help to develop.
Teaching strategies & opportunities that support the development of S&EE skills
Science & Environmental Education encompasses learning related to Science and our learning within the spinney and growing areas. It provides much of the awe and wonder within our SMSC work and our teaching staff draw out high quality content and knowledge from these fields, differentiated at an appropriate level for their pathway, when formulating our thematic half termly planning.
Key pedagogies and approaches to support learning in Science & Environmental Education include:
In order to ensure our children access learning in science, we research good practice and strategies that support pupils with complex special needs such as the TDA advice archive, the Cambridge University STRATA project (https://pstt.org.uk/resources/curriculum-materials/strata-2019) and the Association for Science Education. The STEM organisation also has extensive resources on SEND & Science https://www.stem.org.uk/search?search_query=special+needs&items_per_page=10
Assessment of learning within the S&EE AoL
As with Creativity & The Arts, here is no formal assessment of Science& Environemnatl education, although skills used can be assessed through the OPAL ladders; for example interaction and reading skills. As a school we evaluate our own provision through involvement in the Food for Life scheme (https://www.foodforlife.org.uk/) Having achieved a Silver Award in 2022, and a Gold Award in 2023.