Sciences

Text

Intent

What do we aim to achieve?

During Science teaching and learning at Saint Anne’s:

• Children will have access to a rich and ambitious Science curriculum that inspires a love of learning about the world around them

• Children will be curious and active learners who will want to ask questions and find answers to these questions by undertaking hands on investigations

• Children will gain a sound scientific knowledge of the three areas of Science (biology, chemistry, physics) which will prepare them for their learning in KS3

• Children will learn about and be inspired by past and present scientists and how their work has impacted the world we live in today

• Children will become resilient learners and during Science activities understand that through trial and error great achievements are made 

• Children will be encouraged to think about how Science can lead to future careers and by providing them with the skills and passion for this subject area, we will inspire them to make choices about their futures

• Children’s love of reading will be developed in Science through research activities using high quality texts

• Whilst teaching the Science curriculum, strong links will be made to the environment and the challenges we face protecting it in this modern age.

• Through their learning in Science, children will be aware of their roles and responsibilities as Global Citizens.

• The individual talents and abilities of pupils will be promoted to ensure that each child fulfils his or her full potential.

Implementation

How do we translate our vision into practise?

Curriculum

• From Early Years, the Science curriculum at St. Anne’s will be sequenced coherently to ensure coverage of all key scientific skills and knowledge. This will be done by using a comprehensive scheme as a model for planning and teachers having regular opportunities for CPD.

• In each sequence of learning, children will build on their prior knowledge to further embed their scientific understanding and vocabulary. Each topic plans for progression and depth.

• Due to topics being coherently sequenced and consistently revisited, children will ‘know more and remember more’.

• Subject specific vocabulary for topics is taught and accessible to children through classroom displays and knowledge organisers. Children are encouraged to use the correct Scientific vocabulary in their oral and written work.

• In order to encourage a cohesive and creative curriculum, clear links between Science and other areas of the curriculum are made. ICT is used to support children’s learning and learning in Science is linked to the Computing curriculum.

• In each half-termly topic, children will have opportunities to become practical scientists when working scientifically and completing investigations. They will be encouraged to organise, plan and undertake the investigations using scientific equipment safely.

• For our pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, lesson plans and activities are carefully adapted to their needs to allow each child to reach their full potential. Therefore, all of our SEN pupils have access to the same Science curriculum as their peers. Staff at St. Anne’s have high expectations and ambitions for all pupils in our care.

• Teachers will identify the strengths of children, giving them the opportunity to shine in Science regardless of their attainment in other areas of the curriculum.

• Children are engaged in learning about Science within a stimulating classroom environment that enables children to become independent learners by drawing upon child-friendly displays and resources including access to high-quality non-fiction texts relating to Science.

• Regular assessment during and at the end of topics allows teachers to revisit and identify gaps in learning so that they ‘know more and remember more’. This includes regular verbal feedback about their work.

• Children’s mistakes, misconceptions and preconceptions will be discussed and celebrated in order to build their resilience. During investigations, children will be encouraged to test ideas more than once, emulating the work of real scientists.

• To bridge gaps from ‘lockdown learning’, the science curriculum for 2021/2022 will revise units that were covered during home learning. This ensures that all children have a sound understanding of the key concepts and scientific vocabulary from the previous year’s curriculum.

Wider school life

• Key scientists will be matched to areas of children’s learning to give children real-life examples of people who made changes to Science. These people will be celebrated in assemblies, Science week and through visits from guest speakers.

• Children also have the opportunity to discuss the impact of Science in our world today through reliable and appropriate news outlets. Through the school’s ‘Eco Council’ children explore ways in which we can make positive changes to the environment and our wider community.

• Children will have the opportunity to attend a Science club that draws upon their strengths and passion for Science. This enables us to go beyond the National Curriculum and allow children to explore and deepen their understanding through creative activities and experiments. Children are encouraged to be collaborative learners. Science club engages children in topics in addition to the current curriculum to encourage a love of learning and interest in the wider subject areas.

• Science will be celebrated in the wider life of school, through Science week, assemblies and the delivery of STEM activities.

Links to the wider community

• Parents are also welcomed into school to share careers that are linked to Science. Opportunities for Science lecturers to lead activities in school enables children to access a wide range of resources and supports the scientific understanding of upper KS2 pupils in their transition from primary to secondary school.

• Maintaining links with secondary school teachers enables teachers to have a good understanding of the foundations needed for secondary school Science learning.

• Children will have opportunities to visit the Science labs used at universities and secondary schools to gain access to a wider range of resources and learning opportunities. This will also support our upper KS2 pupils in their transition to secondary school. 

Impact

What is the impact of our curriculum on the students?

• Science at St Anne’s is an important and prominent subject taught on a weekly basis thorough high quality lessons 

• Children enjoy learning about Science practically and can talk enthusiastically about their Science learning. They produce high quality work in which their developing Literacy, mathematical and computing skills are demonstrated

• Children of all abilities achieve their potential in Science and we measure children’s progress through: discussions with pupils, observing practical activities, work produced in books, oral contributions during activities and end of topic assessments. Science progress tests are standardised to provide scaled scores. This gives staff a clear indicator of children’s progress in Science.

• Children are not afraid to ask, investigate and answer questions about Science and are able to make links about what they see in the classroom and the world around them. This will be evident when observing children’s behaviour during Science lessons.

• Children understand the importance of protecting our environment and our equipped with ways they can do this in their school and wider community.

• Children work confidently and safely with scientific equipment both independently and collaboratively.

• Children use their scientific knowledge to help them solve real-life problems and applying their existing knowledge to new areas of learning.

• Children are inspired to continue their Science learning at KS3 and beyond and many consider careers linked to Science.

• Staff feel confident and passionate about teaching Science as they are supported with comprehensive teaching materials and regular CPD support with this subject.

• Staff have opportunities to share, evaluate and assess their children’s work at termly moderation meetings.