Science

Intent

It is our intent at St Paul’s CE Primary School for pupils to be fully immersed in every aspect of Science and for them to recognise the importance of Science in daily life. We ensure the teaching and learning of Science has the importance and prominence it deserves by delivering a well-rounded, engaging curriculum. All children are scientists and are able to freely think for themselves. Our curriculum for science aims to ensure that all pupils:

• develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding in the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics through carefully planned lessons
• 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
• develop a curiosity to discover more about the world around them and to investigate what interests them
• are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

Our school curriculum drivers, along with our vision and values, support to shape and inspire our science curriculum. Children will grow their scientific vocabulary, develop their scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding. They will develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through enquiry that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them and understanding of important scientific ideas, processes and skills and relate these to everyday experiences. Our children will develop spirituality as they equip themselves with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future. We want our children to leave St Paul’s knowing that it is possible for them to achieve their aspirations having developed attitudes of curiosity, originality, co-operation, perseverance, open mindedness, self-criticism, responsibility and independence in thinking.

Implementation

Science is taught weekly as a discrete subject, with plenty of opportunities for cross curricular work which is identified in each lesson, where possible. The science curriculum embodies a clear progression framework which ensures that children are continually building on their prior learning as they systematically develop their understanding of key ideas and their scientific skills. The long-term plan (see below) has been designed to contain a sequence of knowledge and concepts, through the specific disciplines of biology, physics and chemistry, on a year by year basis to ensure progress in the big ideas of science to ensure that children develop secure understanding. The modules are taught each half term, with children completing a science quiz at the end of each module.

We use Switched on Science as programme of study which enhances our quality first teaching. Switched on Science is a flexible and creative investigation-based programme with a clear focus on working scientifically. It is made up of several modules which ensures full coverage of the National Curriculum. The framework is built on a clear progression of conceptual knowledge in science from Reception to Year 6, which has been used to structure the content within key ideas, from year to year and within each year group and module. This ensures that children systematically develop their knowledge of big ideas and their scientific skills.

The scientific area of learning is concerned with increasing pupils’ knowledge, understanding of our world, and with developing skills associated with science as a process of enquiry. It will develop the natural curiosity of the child, encourage respect for living organisms and the physical environment and provide opportunities for critical evaluation of evidence. Science is encouraged to be hands on, investigative and fun and is celebrated through STEM week and other important days/events throughout the year, i.e. World Space Week, school trips. We also use a variety of other resources to support the planning and teaching of science:

• Knowledge organisers for each topic which outlines prior knowledge, future knowledge and vocabulary children will master throughout the topic.
• PLAN primary science assessment resources:
  • knowledge organisers and working scientifically matrices that provide additional guidance to clarify the statements for each year of the National Curriculum 
  • annotated collections of children’s work that provide examples of work that meet the expectations of the knowledge statements for each topic from each year of the science NC
  • progression documents that highlight the links between the topics taught in different year groups and the development of working scientifically skills
• Explorify – a digital resource for teaching primary science.
• Concept Cartoons - designed to introduce science concepts in everyday settings through discussions and addressing misconceptions.