Science
Science is a core subject in the National Curriculum and is part of our broad and balanced curriculum for all pupils. We aim to nurture a love of Science both in school and at home and we want our children to have opportunities to question, explore and reflect upon the world they live in.
Science is taught as a separate subject and links are made to other curriculum areas where appropriate e.g. Mathematics and Design Technology.
In all year groups, investigations are carried out each term that challenge and stimulate and build on children’s scientific knowledge from year to year whilst meeting the needs of all pupils. By the time they reach upper KS2, children will be able to set up and carry out their own scientific investigations. Where possible, we aim to include the outdoor learning environment and hands-on activities where children will experience the joy of learning “how” and “why”. An example of this is watching our chicks in Year 2 each year. We are developing our working scientifically skills through the use of resources from the Ogden Trust materials.
Science is important and we have raised the profile of the subject within our school. Children have the chance to look and feel like scientists through wearing our school lab coats. In addition, every class has an investigation bag each year for a pupil to take home each week (this contains a recording book with suggested activities, equipment and a lab coat where needed.)
Progression in Science from EYFS to Year 6 is ensured through following the whole school progression of skills document which ensures that the National Curriculum is coherently planned and sequenced. This has been updated to ensure that it highlights the biology, chemistry and physics areas in Science. In Years 1-6, the children self-assess using a hexagon grid to show the skills they have secured in each area.
We continue to have strong supporting links with St Richard’s Catholic College. This enables some KS2 year groups to experience subject specialist teaching and STEM workshops either here or at the College particularly in our annual National Science Week.