St Joseph's Science
Intent
“Science is fun. Science is curiosity. We all have natural curiosity. Science is a process of investigating. It’s posing questions and coming up with a method. It’s delving in.”
— Sally Ride (Astronaut and Physicist)
At St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary Academy, our Science Curriculum inspires curiosity in children and develops a sense of excitement about the natural world. Children are encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.
It focuses on the three fundamental scientific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics, giving pupils a rounded understanding to appreciate and enquire about the world around them.
We do this by following the aims of the National Curriculum while fostering a healthy curiosity and interest in science. Science at St. Joseph’s involves adapting and extending the curriculum to match all pupils’ needs, ensuring they are challenged and achieve success regardless of their starting point.
At the heart of our progressive science curriculum is scientific investigation. We regularly deliver lessons where children learn through varied, systematic investigations, equipping them to ask and answer scientific questions about the world around them.
Working Scientifically
We place great value on the importance of an investigative approach through regular hands-on experiences. The Working Scientifically skills are developed throughout children’s time at our school, so that they can apply their knowledge of science when:
- using equipment
- conducting experiments and investigations
- building arguments and explaining concepts confidently
- being familiar with scientific terminology
- continuing to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings
Our aim is that by the end of each Key Stage, every child will understand a variety of scientific concepts and be able to confidently discuss them. They will know about a range of inspiring scientists and recognise that achieving great things in science is an option open to anyone.
“Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity and is the torch which illuminates the world.”
— Louis Pasteur (French Chemist, Pharmacist and Microbiologist)
Implementation
The acquisition of key scientific knowledge is an integral part of our science lessons. The progression of skills for working scientifically is developed through each year group, and scientific enquiry skills are central to every lesson.
Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning in their classrooms and reinforce the belief that all children are capable of achieving high standards.
Our whole-school approach to the teaching and learning of science includes the following:
- Science is taught in planned blocks by the class teacher, with adapted planning to cater for all abilities.
- Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and use their scientific skills and research to discover answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom.
- Planning involves practical, engaging lessons with opportunities for questioning and regular assessment to identify and address gaps in learning.
- The curriculum is progressive, building upon previous learning and skill development.
- Working Scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure they are developed throughout the children’s school career.
- New vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching.
- Teachers model how to use scientific equipment and demonstrate key enquiry skills to embed scientific understanding.
- Enrichment days, such as Science Week, promote the profile of Science and allow time for children to explore scientific topics in depth.