Science

Science is using enquiry to answer questions about the physical and natural world.

Vision for Science (Intent)

Science plays a crucial role in developing our understanding of the world around us. Through the high-quality and regular teaching of science, we aim to provide our pupils with the foundations to understand the world around them and to begin to develop an understanding of science as biology, chemistry and physics. Exploration is a vital part of pupil learning and the teaching and learning of science should be done through the use of first-hand practical experiences whenever possible.

At St George’s, science is about enabling our pupils to experience and observe phenomena in the natural and humanly constructed world. They should be encouraged to be curious and ask questions about what they notice and observe and should be helped to develop their understanding of scientific ideas by using different types of enquiry to answer their own questions. At St George’s we believe that a broad and balanced Science education is the entitlement of all children, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, class, aptitude or disability. Science is about giving children the tools to develop their ideas and ways of working that enable them to understand the world through investigation with independence, resilience and enjoyment.

Science Subject Lead- Anthea Cooke

Long Term Plan

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Key Vocabulary

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National Curriculum Aims

The National Curriculum for Science aims to ensure that all pupils:

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 knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future

How is Science taught and what does it look like at St. George’s? (Implementation)

What will my child leave St. George’s knowing, understanding and appreciating in Science? (Impact)

Our children begin their science journey in Early Years Foundation Stage, with lots of opportunities to investigate the world around them within their classroom and outdoor space. Teachers facilitate children’s curiosity with open-ended questions, following their own ideas and presenting them with a range of opportunities to come up with their own scientific experiments.

In KS1, children continue to build on their science knowledge with more formal weekly science lessons where they are taught to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills: gathering evidence; describe how things change; spot patterns and begin to measure.

In KS2, children build on their previous skills and knowledge, recognising that conclusions may be uncertain and that re-experimentation may be needed to find the true value. They delve further into understanding fair testing and find multiple ways to record their findings, honing these as the years go on.

At St George’s we would like our children to leave school with an enhanced curiosity of the world around them. Children should have an awareness of the role and importance of science in everyday life, together with a consideration of the part that science plays in healthy eating and lifestyles. Throughout their science learning journey, children will have covered a wide range of topics consisting of biology, chemistry and physics and will have used and applied many different scientific skills such as: recording and measuring, considering variables when experimenting, using equipment carefully and accurately and will have taken part in many hands-on learning experiments and experiences.