The 2014 National Curriculum for Science aims to ensure that all children:
- 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 skills required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
We understand that it is important for lessons to have a skills-based focus, and that the knowledge can be taught through this.
At St. John’s C of E Primary, we encourage children to be inquisitive throughout their time at school and beyond. Our Science curriculum fosters a healthy curiosity and a love of learning for our budding scientists who love asking questions about the world around them, about our universe and how we promote a respect for the living and non-living.
We believe Science encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes. Throughout the programmes of study, the children will acquire and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit and across each year group, as well as the application of scientific skills. We ensure that the skills of ‘working scientifically’ are taught and built on, developing through children’s time at the school. This is so they can apply their knowledge of Science when using equipment, conducting experiments, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently and continue to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings.
We teach the Science National Curriculum through exploration, investigations and discovery. We also teach children the scientific skills they need to help them become scientists; helping them to understand the importance of fair testing, recording results and interpreting their findings.
Teachers create a positive attitude to Science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards in the subject. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of Science involves the following:
- Science will usually be taught in planned and arranged topic blocks by the class teacher, to have a focused project-based approach. This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge.
- Through our planning, we include problem solving opportunities that allow children to find out for themselves. Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom. Planning involves teachers creating engaging lessons, often involving high-quality resources to aid understanding of conceptual knowledge. Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning, so that all children keep up.
- Science lessons will also include an introduction to a wide range of key scientists, past and present, which have made a difference to our world. Understanding their vital input to the world will inspire our pupils, and ensure they understand the important role of Science in ‘real life’.
We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years. As the children’s knowledge and understanding increases, and they become more proficient in selecting, using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results, they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence. - Children are offered a wide range of extra-curricular activities and enhancement; visits, trips and visitors are planned to complement and broaden the curriculum. These are purposeful and link with the knowledge being taught in class.
- Events, such as Science Week/Days, allow all pupils to come off-timetable, to provide broader provision and the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills. These events often involve families and the wider Shildon community.
The successful approach at St. John’s results in a fun, engaging, high-quality Science education, that provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world. Our engagement with the local environment ensures that children learn through varied and first-hand experiences of the world around them. Frequent, continuous and progressive learning outside the classroom is embedded throughout the science curriculum. Through various workshops, trips and interactions with experts and local charities, children have the understanding that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity.
From this exposure to a range of different scientists from various backgrounds, all children feel they are scientists and capable of achieving. Children at St. John’s overwhelmingly enjoy Science and this results in motivated learners with sound scientific understanding.
Subject Plan
You can view or download the subject plan by clicking the link below.