Intent
At St Paul's Way, our Science curriculum provides children with the knowledge and skills needed to engage in an increasingly STEM-literate world and enables them to view themselves as pro-active and knowledgeable scientists. We aim to inspire a love of learning and sense of empowerment in all our pupils.
Teachers plan for children to develop their ‘Working Scientifically’ skills and Science subject knowledge in tandem with children understanding the real-life applications of scientific knowledge in the wider world. Each Science unit of work begins with a Scientific Enquiry based on a key question which is explored. Children are encouraged to make links to prior knowledge and ask their own scientific questions.
In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), pupils begin to develop scientific skills through a balance of teacher-led enquiry and child-initiated activities as part of ‘Understanding the World’.
Key science topics taught at SPWP
| Year | Topic |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | On Safari
Materials |
| Year 2 | Materials
Forces |
| Year 3 | Light
Forces and Magnets |
| Year 4 | Living Things States of Matter Electricity |
| Year 5 | Materials
Earth and Space |
| Year 6 | Classifying Critters
Staying Alive |
Implementation
The acquisition of key scientific knowledge is an integral part of our science lessons. Linked knowledge organisers enable children to learn and retain the important, useful key vocabulary and knowledge contained within each unit. The progression of skills for working scientifically are developed through the year groups and scientific enquiry skills are of key importance within lessons. At St Paul’s Way, 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 science lessons. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following;
- Science will be taught in topic blocks by the class teacher.
- Our strategy is to enable all children to be catered for through adapted planning suited to their abilities and needs.
- Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers.
- Planning involves teachers creating practical, engaging lessons with opportunities for precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in their learning.
- Our curriculum is progressive as we build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years, which is tested through our ‘prior-learning quizzes’ where teachers can identify misconceptions that need addressing.
- Working Scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the children’s school career. New vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching. This is developed through the years, in keeping with the topics.
- Teachers demonstrate how to use scientific equipment, and the various Working Scientifically skills in order to embed scientific understanding. Teachers find opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing workshops with experts.
- Through enrichment days, such as ‘STEM week’, we promote the profile of Science and allow time for the children to freely explore scientific topics.
