Science  

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 of the national curriculum: 

The national curriculum for science aims to ensure that all pupils: 

• Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics 

• 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 

• Are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future 

Salterforth Science curriculum intent: 

Our aim for Science at Salterforth, is to enthuse our pupils and boost their interest and enjoyment in the subject and to develop their appreciation of its contribution to everyday life.  We want to harness our pupils’ natural curiosity and general sense of enquiry, enabling them to ask questions and make suggestions through investigations and practical activities. At Salterforth, we aim for our science curriculum to provide our children with many ‘Wow!’ moments 

Our Curriculum is implemented through a well designed series of lessons covering the full National Curriculum and using the PLAN Knowledge matrices. Science is taught weekly in KS1 and KS2 and through the Understanding the World strand of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. 

Technology – Computing 

Our computing curriculum lead is: Mrs V Havers-Strong (IMAGE) 

A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world. 

Aims of the national curriculum: 

The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils: 

• Can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation 

• Can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems 

• Can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems 

• Are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology 

Salterforth Computing curriculum intent: 

At Salterforth, we want our children to understand the power of computing as well as the responsibility we all have to use its many features responsibly. We live in a world powered by technology and that technology is moving faster than ever. We know that our children will use technology of some kind for the rest of their lives – much of which may not even yet exist. Our computing curriculum is designed to educate our children about: how to use a range of software safely, the many and varied applications of technology in the real world and how this is all underpinned by coding and programming. Like maths, computing is an interconnected subject in which pupils learn skills which are then translated across all aspects of learning. We aim for our children to be competent and confident users of technology by the time they leave to attend secondary school.  

Our curriculum implemented using the Purple Mash Scheme of work and begins in our Early Years Foundation Stage. It is taught discretely on a weekly basis in KS1 and KS2 and ICT skills are incorporated across the curriculum to allow children the opportunity to practice and apply those skills. 

Engineering – Design technology 

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation. 

Aims of the national curriculum: 

The national curriculum for design and technology aims to ensure that all pupils: 

• Develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world 

• Build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users 

• Critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others 

• Understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook 

Salterforth Design Technology Curriculum intent: 

At Salterforth we recognise that many of our children may wish to pursue a career that involves a level of design or technology. Our curriculum is based on the KAPOW scheme of work and includes designing, making, and evaluating products both those already in existence and those of their own creation. We work with local businesses such as Hope technology, Rolls Royce and Silent Night to support our children’s developing interests in this subject. Our food technology elements aim to develop children’s understanding of where our food comes from, how it is produced and the health benefits of the food we eat. We also aim for all our children to have basic food preparation skills by the end of their primary journey. Our Let’s Get Cooking club as well as our ‘Tasty Tuesday’ monthly activities help to develop children’s skills further and enthuse our budding future chefs.  

Our curriculum is implemented through use of the KAPOW scheme of work units and is taught 3 out of 6 half terms each year. In one half term across the two year cycle, DT becomes the lead subject and is giving additional curriculum teaching time to develop project work. 

Mathematics 

Mathematics is a subject that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. A successful education of mathematics provides: fluency of number and the ability to reason and solve mathematical problems.  

Aims of the national curriculum: 

The national curriculum for mathematics aims to ensure that all pupils: 

• Become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately 

• Reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language 

• Can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions 

Mathematics is an interconnected subject in which pupils need to be able to move fluently between representations of mathematical ideas. 

Salterforth Mathematics curriculum intent: 

At Salterforth Primary School, we believe that mastery of anything takes time and so in maths, as in all our subjects, we work on the understanding that our children are on a ‘journey to mastery’. It is our intention to ensure that children leave primary school with the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to use mathematics in their everyday lives. We aim to develop our children’s understanding by providing a range of opportunities for children to first develop their mathematical fluency and reasoning then develop their ability to apply these skills to different problem solving situations. Our aim at Salterforth is for children to become confident, functional users of maths so that they can apply this to their every day lives and chosen careers.  

Our curriculum in implemented through use of the White Rose Maths scheme of learning and is taught in all key stages on a daily basis through discrete mathematics lessons. Children are given opportunities to apply their mathematical skill and knowledge throughout the curriculum and these opportunities are made explicit to the children.