Intent 

At St Mary’s School our intention is to develop pupil’s skills and knowledge so that they have an understanding of the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.  They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave and analyse causes.    

Our intent is to equip children with thought provoking, resilient, scientific minds that will enable them to confidently understand and question the world today and in the future.   

Implementation 

In EYFS children explore Scientific concepts during their free choice learning activities. They have an exploration area that provides opportunity for them to experiment with a variety of equipment.   

In KS1 children will explore the world around them and raise their own questions. They should have opportunities to complete science experiments where they will compare objects, notice patterns and use secondary resources to answer questions.  They will use simple measurements and equipment to record and communicate their findings.   

In lower KS2 children will broaden their Scientific view of the world.  They will have the opportunity to explore, talk about, test and develop ideas by observing changes over time, noticing patterns,  grouping and classifying things,  carrying out simple and comparative and fair tests using a wider breadth of secondary resources to answer questions.  They should draw simple conclusions using scientific vocabulary correctly.   

In Upper KS2 children will develop a deeper understanding of a wide range of scientific ideas.  They will explore and talk about their ideas, asking their own questions about scientific phenomena.  They will select the most appropriate ways to answer Scientific questions, observe changes over different periods of time,  notice patterns, grouping and classifying things, carrying out comparative and fair tests using a range of secondary sources to answer questions.  Pupils will be able to draw conclusions based on observations and explain their findings using correct vocabulary.   

Impact  

Pupils’ knowledge and skills will progress as they develop a secure understanding of each key block of knowledge and concepts. Pupils will be able to describe associated processes and key characteristics and be able to use technical terminology accurately and precisely. They will build up a specialist extended vocabulary and be able to use their mathematical knowledge of their understanding of Science, including collecting, presenting and analysing data.  Pupils will be able to talk about their learning, identifying their strengths and next steps.   

Additional experiences  

Alongside our science topics we also teach one science investigation per half term and all children are given the opportunity of experiencing Forest School each year. In addition, a range of educational visits complement and enhance our science curriculum eg. visits to a local nature reserve, Magna and Sherwood Forest.