AIMS

Link to Science National Curriculum -

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/425618/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_Science.pdf

INTENT

Science teaching at St Marie’s Catholic Primary aims to give all children a strong understanding of the world around them whilst acquiring specific skills and knowledge to help them to think scientifically, to gain an understanding of scientific processes and also an understanding of the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future. At St Marie’s Catholic Primary, scientific enquiry skills are embedded in each topic the children study and these topics are revisited and developed throughout their time at school. Topics, such as Plants, are taught in Key Stage One and studied again in further detail throughout Key Stage Two. This model allows children to build upon their prior knowledge and increases their enthusiasm for the topics whilst embedding this procedural knowledge into the long-term memory. All children are encouraged to develop and use a range of skills including observations, planning and investigations, as well as being encouraged to question the world around them and become independent learners in exploring possible answers for their scientific based questions. Specialist vocabulary for topics is taught and built up, and effective questioning to communicate ideas is encouraged. Concepts taught should be reinforced by focusing on the key features of scientific enquiry, so that pupils learn to use a variety of approaches to answer relevant scientific questions.

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Our curriculum provides opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings and the need to be responsible citizens, accessing outdoor learning wherever possible and exploring the changing environment.

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IMPLEMENTATION

Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards in science. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following;

• Science will be taught, using the scheme ‘Kapow’, weekly. The lesson is taught who class to begin with then moving into groups and a T.A is timetabled to be involved in the weekly lessons. This is a strategy to enable the teaching of specific scientific enquiry skills, development of scientific knowledge and understanding  and working in smaller groups resulting in active hands on science.

Teachers plan  problem solving opportunities that allow 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.

. Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning, so that all children achieve their potential and are engaged in within there lessons.

• We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years. As the children’s knowledge and understanding increases, and they become more proficient in selecting, using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results, they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to draw conclusions based on real evidence.

Working Scientifically is embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the children’s school career

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IMPACT

Science teaching at St Marie’s results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations for understanding the world as demonstrated by achieving the 'Gilt 'Primary Science Quality Mark. Our engagement with the local environment ensures that children learn through varied and first hand experiences of the world around them. Children’s aspirations and understanding of careers in science are developed through enrichment activities such as community links and connection with national agencies such as the STEM association, science days/week, networking with Science Share. Pupil voice is used to further develop the Science curriculum, through questioning of pupil’s views and attitudes to Science to support the children’s enjoyment of science and to motivate learners. We assess the children’s knowledge and skills half termly and report to parents and governors annually.