Science

Intent

At St Chad’s, we strive to deliver a high-quality science curriculum which allows our pupils to recognise the significance of science in their everyday lives. We explicitly teach pupils the skills and knowledge they need to become methodical, analytical, and inquisitive scientists.

The National Curriculum states, “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.”

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.

Implementation

Our children begin their science experience in Early Years Foundation Stage, with informal investigation within the setting. Teachers facilitate children’s curiosity with open ended questions and clearly thought out learning experiences which are both child led and adult led. Their science experience forms the beginnings of scientific concepts that will be built in Year 1 and beyond.

The acquisition of key scientific knowledge is an integral part of our science lessons. We are developing knowledge organisers to support our children to retain the key vocabulary and knowledge contained in each unit.

Every year group builds upon their learning from prior years, developing depth of understanding and progression of skills. Children explore, question, predict, plan, carry out investigations and observations, and conclude their findings. In order to support children in their ability to know more and remember more, there are regular opportunities to review the learning that has occurred in previous topics as well as prior lessons.

Impact

We monitor the impact of learning each lesson through teacher observations and questioning. We provide an end of unit assessment or quiz for each topic.

The expected impact of the Science curriculum is that children will:

Demonstrate a love of science and an interest in the wider world.

Develop scientific knowledge and understanding of concepts, answering scientific questions about the world around them through different types of enquiries.
Develop and use a range of skills including observations, planning and carrying out investigations.
To evoke an enthusiasm and enjoyment for scientific learning and discovery, creating independent learners who are eager to explore scientific questions.
Be equipped with the knowledge needed to understand the breadth of science, through both it's uses and the implications of it, today and in the future.
Use a range of methods to communicate their scientific findings and present it, including written explanations, ICT, diagrams, graphs and charts. These latter methods allow the children to apply their mathematical skills, in the areas of measure and data handling.
Meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National Curriculum for Science.

Most children will achieve age related expectations in science at the end of each academic year.