Science

Science

Our Science curriculum is centred around it being a fun, practical subject where disciplinary knowledge is embedded to help children make sense of and develop a curiosity of the world around them. It links well with our Catholic ethos as we celebrate Catholic Social Teaching and their role as Stewards of God’s Creation.

 Intention

Science is a fundamental part of everyday life and developing understanding in this area is essential for the future of our world. We aim to instil a love for science to broaden children’s interests and successes within STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), to value the impact of it, and to know and understand how it is linked to our everyday lives. Our curriculum has been developed to provide fun, practical (developing our pupils’ disciplinary knowledge) and engaging high-quality teaching, ensuring coverage of the ‘scientific knowledge’ and ‘conceptual understanding’ (substantive knowledge) prescribed within the National Curriculum and carefully planned progression of enquiry skills. This method of teaching also supports learning access for all pupils, including SEND, as well as offering challenges and greater thinking opportunities, for more-able children. Through this, we are able to equip children with the essential characteristics to help them become scientists:

• To develop scientific knowledge using first-hand and concrete experiences, wherever possible.
• To develop their conceptual understanding of science disciplines (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), using different types of scientific enquiries.
• To create and answer scientific questions about the world around them.
• To broaden their understanding and use of scientific vocabulary.
• To develop their understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science for each year group.
• To develop critical and creative thinking skills

 Implementation

In ensuring a high standard of teaching and learning in Science, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the school. Planning for Science is a process in which all teachers are involved to ensure that the school gives full coverage of, ‘The National Curriculum programmes of study 2014’ and, ‘Understanding of the World’ in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The acquisition of key scientific knowledge is an integral part of our science lessons. The progression of skills for ‘working scientifically’ are developed through the year groups and ‘scientific enquiry’ skills are of key importance within lessons. Our whole school approach to science involves the following:  Real life opportunities – Enabling children to find out for themselves. Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. Planning involves teachers creating practical, engaging lessons with opportunities for regular, precise questioning in class to assess conceptual knowledge and skills, and to identify those children with gaps in learning.  A progressive curriculum - We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years. Teachers identify misconceptions that need addressing at the start of each unit of work.  Working scientifically skills - Embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are developed. New vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching, which is developed through the years, in keeping with the topics.  Opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings - Accessing outdoor learning and workshops with experts where possible.  Enrichment days (such as ‘Science Week’ -We promote the profile of Science and allow time for the children to freely explore scientific topics.  

Impact

The impact of this curriculum design will lead to outstanding progress over time, across key stages, relative to a child’s individual starting point and their progression of skills.  Our successful consistent approach, results in fun, engaging, hands on, high-quality science education, which provides children with the foundations for understanding the world. We create a culture of high scientific aspirations, which will allow our students a platform to develop their scientific learning and careers, and to articulate their understanding of scientific concepts.  Through a variety of well-designed and well-delivered science lessons, workshops, visitors, and trips, children are developing an understanding of how science has changed our lives and is vital in our world today. It enables pupils to make key links and understand how science is used in our everyday lives.