Science

Children should be given practical, hands-on experiences which give them the opportunity to seek answers to questions and solve problems.

In our Science lessons, we ensure that both our pupils’ substantive and disciplinary knowledge is built upon year on year.

Substantive Knowledge – the knowledge and ‘substance’ of our curriculum e.g. scientific facts, properties of materials, states of matter, the human body.

Disciplinary Knowledge – the skills our children develop in order to investigate and prove scientific hypotheses, to examine change, to research information and to perform fair tests.

So that our pupils can learn more and know more, we believe it is vital that our Science curriculum develops both categories.

It is our intention to encourage children to be inquisitive about the world around them, nurturing their innate curiosity and enabling them to develop a range of scientific skills that are useful across the whole curriculum. Science begins in Nursery and Foundation Stage with a focus on investigating seasonal change. Children begin to investigate, observe and make predictions about the world around them. These skills are further developed in a carefully sequenced curriculum as they progress through school.

At St Mary and St Joseph we aim to ensure that all children:

• Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
• Know more and remember more through the teaching of a carefully planned curriculum that builds on prior learning and allows to revisit and embed knowledge.
• Develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer specific questions about the world around them
• Are equipped with the scientific skills required to understand the uses and implications of science today and for the future.
• Develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment of scientific learning and discovery.

Curriculum documents

• Science Curriculum Statement
  
• Science Long Term Plan
• Science Knowledge and Progression
  
• Science Progression of Skills