Planning and Assessment

Planning may be more flexible due to a reduced content.
Skills should be developed and woven throughout the curriculum.
Continuation of the current time management is sufficient however there is no longer a need to continue with hourly sessions, development of new approaches to delivery or teaching thematically is encouraged.
Activities should be differentiated to allow inclusion of all pupils.
Collaborative learning is encouraged.
Learners should be aware of what they are trying to achieve and how to improve via the use of success criteria.

Click here to see amended Scheme of Work

Curriculum 2008 level descriptors are organised into areas which focus on planning, developing and reflecting.

Children should be provided with opportunity for reflection by the means of self and peer assessment.
Activities should develop thinking through questioning, planning, number, ICT, problem solving and being creative.
Feedback should be clear and immediate with no grades. Comments should be target specific and tell children how to improve.
Assessment should not be end loaded and provide opportunities for correction.
Children should recognise good quality work and be clear of success criteria.
Level descriptors are not suitable targets as these are to be used at the end of key stages only.
Procedures for standardisation and moderation at the end of a key stage should be put in place to ensure consistency in teacher assessment.

Progression should establish where a child is on the learning continuum, where they need to go and how best to get there.
Children are encouraged to develop their skills through the Range of independence of organisms, the sustainable earth and how things work.
Teaching should encourage learners to manage their own learning.
Learners must be aware of their current position and move towards targets and identify when targets have been reached.
Learners should relate their scientific skills, knowledge and understanding to applications of science in everyday life.
Learners should be taught to evaluate information gathered from observations and measurements.