At St Matthew’s C of E Primary and Nursery Academy we have designed our science curriculum with the intent that our children will develop an in-depth understanding of the world around them and an understanding of how major scientific ideas have played a vital role in society, to prepare them for life in an increasingly scientific and technological world. We recognise that science plays a vital role within our school community, with many parents and carers having professional careers within the medical field. We therefore embrace their expertise and recognise the valuable contributions that families can make to the delivery of an engaging science curriculum. Our aim is to build science capital for all our children, regardless of their background and starting point so that they are inspired to continue to use science in their everyday life, future education and careers.
We will deliver a Science Curriculum that:
The curriculum is led and overseen by the science curriculum leaders, who will regularly monitor, evaluate and review science teaching and learning, celebrating and sharing good practice. Formative assessments will be integrated into every day science teaching to ensure teachers have an in-depth knowledge of the children’s learning and inform their next steps. Low stakes testing of science will also inform termly assessments and allow for long term memory development and secure understanding of skills.
The National Curriculum provides the basis for our science curriculum, which is then tailored to meet the learning and developmental needs of the children in our school. The key resource that teachers use is the St Christopher's Trust science scheme written by Charlotte Bowern and adapted from the Suffolk Scheme of work. Our approach to science to follows a spiralling curriculum.
Teachers will plan science using the newly developed progression of skills document which will allow children to build upon prior knowledge and understanding. This document will also outline the working scientifically skills, which teachers will use to plan enquiry-based lessons which will support children’s journeys to become independent and resilient learners.
The teaching, learning and sequencing of science will follow our curriculum map which ensures coverage and a progression map which ensures progression in working scientifically, biology,
chemistry and physics. Science will be taught discretely through weekly sessions although these may occasionally be blocked and applied in theme weeks.
Knowledge organisers will be developed and introduced for teachers and pupils to use for each topic for reference and assessment purposes. This will map out the knowledge, vocabulary and investigative skills needed to master the concepts.
The understanding of and ability to use tier 2 and tier 3 vocabulary will be taught as an essential aspect of scientific development. This will be developed alongside subject knowledge and a focus on the importance for well-planned controlled investigations.
Science is explored through the children’s understanding of the world and elements of technology. Learning in the outside environment is key to enhancing child-led learning. We provide opportunities for children to question, wonder, explore, discover, experiment and observe through direct experiences. The children are introduced to scientific vocabulary to help them further their understanding and are asked open-ended questions, so that they can make predictions and give them opportunities to question. Our Early Years provision ensures that children have access to a range of materials that work in different ways for various purposes. Children can use resources and the environment around them to notice similarities and differences, changes over time such as a growing plant in our vegetable patch and discuss their point of view with their peers.