Science
Subject Leaders - Mrs Syms
Intent
Through our science curriculum at St Joseph’s, we nurture enquiring minds, fuel curiosity and unlock scientific potential. We promote the science capital of our pupils by enabling them to take part in activities that are fun and engaging whilst giving them a firm scientific knowledge. We encourage our pupils to ask questions and to find answers and solutions through their investigative work. The study of the work of scientists past and present shows our children that science is vitally important in everyday life and that science offers a desirable career choice. Carefully planned lessons enable all of our children, regardless of ability or special educational needs, to access and partake in science lessons.
Implementation
- Science is taught in accordance with the National Curriculum for science with each year group having its own set of learning topics and science skills.
- Science skills are built upon year by year and topic by topic throughout the key stages.
- Science is taught weekly in each key stage through a range of learning activities including practical investigations, observations, data handling and research.
- Where possible and pertinent, science is also linked to other areas of the curriculum such as English, maths and computing.
- Each year, St Joseph’s celebrates British Science Week (BSW) . Some of the activities and sessions include, learning about a famous scientist, visits from parents and friends or organisations who work in ‘real life’ scientists, visits to science museums and an investigation from the BSW website.
- The school makes use of opportunities for in school events, trips or outings that are linked to a science area.
Impact
Science National Curriculum
The National Curriculum for England, July 2013 states, '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. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.'
Aims
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.'
Science National Curriculum link
Long Term Plan
To view our whole school long term plan for science, please click here.
Science is taught weekly in every year group. We are following the White rose Science Curriculum. The overview for each year group can be accessed here -
The White Rose Curriculum map can be accessed here Curriculum Map
School Curriculum
The programmes of study for science are set out year-by-year for key stages 1 and 2. Schools are, however, only required to teach the relevant programme of study by the end of the key stage. Within each key stage, schools therefore have the flexibility to introduce content earlier or later than set out in the programme of study.
Working Scientifically
Key Stage 1
During years 1 and 2, pupils should be taught to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills through the teaching of the programme of study content:
- asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
- observing closely, using simple equipment
- performing simple tests
- identifying and classifying
- using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
- gathering and recording data to help in answering questions.
Years 3 and 4
During years 3 and 4, pupils should be taught to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills through the teaching of the programme of study content:
- asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
- setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests
- making systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, taking accurate measurements using standard units, using a range of equipment, including thermometers and data loggers
- gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions
- recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts, and tables
- reporting on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions
- using results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and raise further questions
- identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes
- using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings.
Years 5 and 6
During years 5 and 6, pupils should be taught to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills through the teaching of the programme of study content:
- planning different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, including recognising and controlling variables where necessary
- taking measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate
- recording data and results of increasing complexity using scientific diagrams and labels, classification keys, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs
- using test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests
- reporting and presenting findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of and degree of trust in results, in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations
- identifying scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments.
Greater Depth