Intent of our Science Curriculum
The subject of Science at St Alban & St Stephen Catholic Primary School gives 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 Alban & St Stephen Catholic Primary School, Science provides the foundations for understanding the world, where scientific enquiry skills are embedded in each topic the children study and these topics are revisited and developed throughout their time at school. 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 are reinforced by focusing on the key features of scientific enquiry, so that pupils learn to use a variety of approaches to answer relevantly.
At St Alban & St Stephen Catholic Primary School we value the development of the whole child. Our children are not just learners – in science they are investigators, hypothesisers, enthusiasts, decision makers, contributors, creators, explorers and ultimately, the future of our community and the world beyond it.In Science, we aim to create scientists of the future and develop the natural curiosity and fascination about the world around them. They are encouraged to be curious, ask questions about what they observe and are encouraged to explore these ideas through their own investigations. Our children explain what is occurring, predict how things behave, and analyse cause and effects. We currently use Rising Stars ‘Switched on Science’ scheme as a basis for our planning and teachers build upon these ideas and skills with further resources and challenges.
Through our Science curriculum the children will experience:
- The ability to think independently and raise questions about working scientifically and the knowledge and skills that it brings.
- Confidence and competence in the full range of practical skills, taking the initiative in, for example, planning and carrying out scientific investigations.
- Excellent scientific knowledge and understanding which is demonstrated in written and verbal explanations, solving challenging problems and reporting scientific findings.
- High levels of originality, imagination or innovation in the application of skills.
- The ability to undertake practical work in a variety of contexts, including fieldwork.
- A passion for science and its application in past, present and future technologies.
Through our in-depth and carefully sequenced lessons, pupils’ knowledge and understanding and scientific skills are developed for both their future learning and future life.
These key scientific skills and concepts are:
- Work scientifically
- Understand plants
- Understand animals and humans
- Investigate living things
- Understand evolution and inheritance
- Investigate materials
- Understand movement, forces and magnets
- Understand the Earth’s movement and Space
- Investigate light and seeing
- Investigate sound and hearing
- Understand electrical circuits
Implementation of our Science curriculum
All learning will start by revisiting prior knowledge and making meaningful connections. Staff will model specifically the subject specific vocabulary, knowledge and skills relevant to the learning to allow pupils to integrate new knowledge into larger concepts. Concrete resources such as fossils, electrical equipment and prisms are utilised – as well as specific equipment for measuring such as dataloggers, force meters and thermometers- and these will support learning and enable children to work scientifically. Consistent learning walls in every classroom provide constant scaffolding for children. Subject specific vocabulary is displayed on the learning walls along with key facts and questions and model exemplars of the work being taught. Curriculum quizzes are used to review learning and check that children know more and remember more.
Impact is measured using a range of formative and active assessment methods. Teachers assess individual pupil’s scientific knowledge and working scientifically skills. National Curriculum objectives are used to inform teachers and leaders of the skills and knowledge the pupils have achieved or need to improve further. Children are given many opportunities to learn and explore Science in a cross curricular way. A large range of visits, visitors, events and projects are experienced to engage, showcase and promote Science in school and beyond.
Impact of our Science curriculum
At St Alban & St Stephen Catholic Primary School ‘pupil voice’ shows that children are confident, enthusiastic young scientists who take pride in their Science work and the Science reputation of the school. This is evident through observation of work around the school, via Twitter, the school website, through local media and our newsletter. The Science Lead and school leaders closely monitor all pupil’s books and progress. In addition, pupil voice is used to enable the Science lead to assess the impact of Science across the curriculum. Work demonstrates that pupils are learning in a progressive way, building on prior learning and developing working scientifically skills and knowledge as they progress through the year groups. They are producing work of a standard outlined in the National Curriculum and show an understanding of Science concepts and associated vocabulary. Pupil voice shows that they enjoy Science and have a good understanding of the various elements of the subject. They know that all children are equal and that they can all access and enjoy Science as they progress on their learning journey.
Our pupils leave St Alban & St Stephen Catholic Primary School with the knowledge to think like a scientist, act like a scientist and speak like a scientist, and they value the transference of these skills into their everyday life, in education and beyond.
Below are some external links to support your child with their learning in their current science topic. The links are arranged according to the National Curriculum’s programmes of study for each year group.
YEAR 3 PROGRAMME OF STUDY
Plants
Animals including humans
Rocks
Forces and Magnets
YEAR 4 PROGRAMME OF STUDY
Living things and their habitats
Animals, including humans
Electricity
YEAR 5 PROGRAMME OF STUDY
Animals, including Humans
Living Things and their Habitats
Properties and changes of materials
Forces
YEAR 6 PROGRAMME OF STUDY
Light
Skills progression