Science Curriculum

Intent Statement - 

At St Joseph and St Teresa we want our children to be curious and inspired to ask questions about the current world and future life. Through a balanced curriculum children will develop scientific skills and knowledge that can be transferred into inquiries and investigations. Across the school, we want to develop a love of science and the natural world.

Implementation Statement - 

Teachers create a positive attitude towards science throughout learning time and enthusiasm for the subject. Expectations are reinforced in each science lesson to ensure that the highest standard of learning is achieved. Our whole school approach to teaching and learning of science involves:

• Science will be planned and taught in the arranged blocks by the class teacher, following the 2 year rolling curriculum map.
• Existing knowledge, this is checked through mind mapping prior to learning. This ensures that the children are at the centre of their own learning. It takes into account starting points of each pupil and incorporates interests of the children. After the learning block, children will annotate their original mind-map with the new information they have gained.
• Throughout planning problem solving is encouraged, this is through the use of concept cartoons or Explorify problems. Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess pupils regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning, so that all pupils keep up. Children are reassured that they can ask questions during lessons to challenge their own and other children’s learning. Curiosity is encouraged in lessons and celebrated.
• Knowledge organisers are used in lessons for children to refer back to for vocabulary and definitions. This will be available during lesson time, promoting independence and desire to learn.
• 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 outdoor learning.
• Regular events, such as Science Week, allow all pupils to come off-timetable, to provide broader provision and the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills.