A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
Science
Science is a body of knowledge built through investigative and experimenting skills and testing of ideas. Science is also a practical way of finding reliable answers to questions we may ask about the world around us.
Intent
Science teaching at St. Scholastica’s aims to give every child a strong understanding of the world around them whilst acquiring the knowledge and skills to help them think scientifically, to gain understanding of scientific processes and also understanding of the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future.
Science teaching at St. Scholastica’s is taught in ways that are imaginative, purposeful and enjoyable. Lessons provide children with opportunities to investigate and explore. Science is linked to other areas of learning within the curriculum to ensure a more meaningful outcome. Science teaching aims to develop children’s concern for our environment and prepare them for life in an increasingly scientific and technological world.
Specialist vocabulary for topics is taught and built up, and effective questioning to communicate ideas is encouraged. Concepts taught are reinforced by focusing on key features of scientific enquiry, so that pupils learn to use a variety of approaches to answer relevant scientific questions. All children are encouraged to develop investigative skills, as well as being encouraged to question the world around them and become independent learners in exploring possible answers to their scientific based questions.
Science teaching at St. Scholastica’s aims to give every child a strong understanding of the world around them whilst acquiring the knowledge and skills to help them think scientifically, to gain understanding of scientific processes and also understanding of the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future.
Science teaching at St. Scholastica’s is taught in ways that are imaginative, purposeful and enjoyable. Lessons provide children with opportunities to investigate and explore. Science is linked to other areas of learning within the curriculum to ensure a more meaningful outcome. Science teaching aims to develop children’s concern for our environment and prepare them for life in an increasingly scientific and technological world.
Specialist vocabulary for topics is taught and built up, and effective questioning to communicate ideas is encouraged. Concepts taught are reinforced by focusing on key features of scientific enquiry, so that pupils learn to use a variety of approaches to answer relevant scientific questions. All children are encouraged to develop investigative skills, as well as being encouraged to question the world around them and become independent learners in exploring possible answers to their scientific based questions.
Implementation
Teachers are provided with a Science curriculum that has been well thought out and carefully planned for the progression of skills and knowledge for pupils in Year 1 to Year 6. Topics, such as Plants and Electricity, are taught in Key Stage 1 and revisited in Key Stage 2 to build on prior knowledge and develop skills. Our Science curriculum includes lesson plans for each topic, practical investigations and out of class learning activities.
Teachers are expected to:
Teachers are provided with a Science curriculum that has been well thought out and carefully planned for the progression of skills and knowledge for pupils in Year 1 to Year 6. Topics, such as Plants and Electricity, are taught in Key Stage 1 and revisited in Key Stage 2 to build on prior knowledge and develop skills. Our Science curriculum includes lesson plans for each topic, practical investigations and out of class learning activities.
Teachers are expected to:
- Differentiate learning activities based on the individual needs of the children in their class.
- Provide more able children with more challenging tasks and project work.
- Support pupils to build up a Topic Knowledge Organiser of key vocabulary they have mastered.
- Develop pupils’ scientific skills of observing, predicting, inferring, classifying and evaluating during practical investigations.
- Enhance pupils’ learning experiences by planning trips and visits from experts.
Impact
The Science curriculum at St. Scholastica’s is planned to demonstrate progression of knowledge and skills. The impact of our curriculum is measured through the following methods:
The Science curriculum at St. Scholastica’s is planned to demonstrate progression of knowledge and skills. The impact of our curriculum is measured through the following methods:
- A reflection on standards achieved against the planned learning outcomes
- Tracking of pupil knowledge by teacher judgement, practical investigations and Rising Stars assessments
- STEM Ambassador and pupil discussions about learning
- A celebration of learning during STEM Week, Work Week and the Science Fair which demonstrates progression of knowledge and skills across the school.
Science in the Early Years Foundation Stage
In Nursery and Reception, Science is taught through the curriculum area Understanding of the World. Understanding of the World focuses on how children make sense of their physical world and community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment. Forest school learning is also part of the EYFS curriculum.
In Nursery and Reception, Science is taught through the curriculum area Understanding of the World. Understanding of the World focuses on how children make sense of their physical world and community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment. Forest school learning is also part of the EYFS curriculum.
Our School STEM Ambassadors
Two pupils from EYFS, KS1 and KS2 are chosen to be the our school STEM Ambassadors. The role of the STEM Ambassadors is to effectively monitor Science in our school to help evaluate and identify strengths to celebrate and areas to develop. STEM Ambassadors engage in indoor and outdoor learning walks, lesson observations, books scrutinies and look at Science display boards. STEM Ambassadors lead roles in STEM Week and the Science Fair.
Two pupils from EYFS, KS1 and KS2 are chosen to be the our school STEM Ambassadors. The role of the STEM Ambassadors is to effectively monitor Science in our school to help evaluate and identify strengths to celebrate and areas to develop. STEM Ambassadors engage in indoor and outdoor learning walks, lesson observations, books scrutinies and look at Science display boards. STEM Ambassadors lead roles in STEM Week and the Science Fair.
STEM Week
STEM Week is special week of learning in our school. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. During STEM Week we celebrate the importance of science in our everyday lives. Each class experience real life science and technology. We meet some adults that have exciting careers in STEM. These include police detectives, scientists, engineers, biologists, eco activists and game designers.
STEM Week is special week of learning in our school. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. During STEM Week we celebrate the importance of science in our everyday lives. Each class experience real life science and technology. We meet some adults that have exciting careers in STEM. These include police detectives, scientists, engineers, biologists, eco activists and game designers.
Science Fair
All children are encouraged to participate in our Science Fair. This is a great opportunity for children to learn independently and be creative as they complete their project. It is also a fantastic way to get their parents involved in their learning.
The theme of this year’s Science Fair was Recycling. Children in EYFS and KS1 were challenged to create something special from waste materials. Children from KS2 designed posters to encourage their family and friends to recycle. The creative recycling projects and recycling posters were displayed in the hall at the Science Fair. Our school STEM Ambassadors judged the competition and presented a winner from each class with a prize.
All children are encouraged to participate in our Science Fair. This is a great opportunity for children to learn independently and be creative as they complete their project. It is also a fantastic way to get their parents involved in their learning.
The theme of this year’s Science Fair was Recycling. Children in EYFS and KS1 were challenged to create something special from waste materials. Children from KS2 designed posters to encourage their family and friends to recycle. The creative recycling projects and recycling posters were displayed in the hall at the Science Fair. Our school STEM Ambassadors judged the competition and presented a winner from each class with a prize.
Science Trips
Children in EYFS, KS1 and KS2 visit science museums and educational venues throughout the year as part of the Science curriculum.
Children in EYFS, KS1 and KS2 visit science museums and educational venues throughout the year as part of the Science curriculum.
Parents and Pupil Science Lessons
Parents enjoy joining their children for exciting and engaging Science lessons.
Science Displays
Our Science displays not only present lesson activities and demonstrate learning, they also inform and engage other pupils and encourage all pupils to develop a love for Science.
Parents enjoy joining their children for exciting and engaging Science lessons.
Science Displays
Our Science displays not only present lesson activities and demonstrate learning, they also inform and engage other pupils and encourage all pupils to develop a love for Science.
Handy Homework / Learning Links
EYFS
https://stormedapps.co.uk/pairing/pairing.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/5_6/ourselves_fs.shtml#top
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/5_6/growing_plants_fs.shtml
http://www.getinthezone.org.uk/schools/ages-4-11/ages-4-5/game-brilliant-bodies/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/down-on-the-farm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/get-well-soon
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/nina-and-the-neurons
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/junk-rescue
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/stargazing
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/where-in-the-world
KS1
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/z6svr82
http://primarygamesarena.com/Subjects/Science
http://homeworkhelp.stjohnssevenoaks.com/science/index.html
KS2
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/z2pfb9q
http://primarygamesarena.com/Subjects/Science
http://homeworkhelp.stjohnssevenoaks.com/science/index.html
EYFS
https://stormedapps.co.uk/pairing/pairing.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/5_6/ourselves_fs.shtml#top
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/5_6/growing_plants_fs.shtml
http://www.getinthezone.org.uk/schools/ages-4-11/ages-4-5/game-brilliant-bodies/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/down-on-the-farm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/get-well-soon
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/nina-and-the-neurons
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/junk-rescue
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/stargazing
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/where-in-the-world
KS1
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/z6svr82
http://primarygamesarena.com/Subjects/Science
http://homeworkhelp.stjohnssevenoaks.com/science/index.html
KS2
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/z2pfb9q
http://primarygamesarena.com/Subjects/Science
http://homeworkhelp.stjohnssevenoaks.com/science/index.html