Curriculum Intent
At the Priory Voluntary Catholic Academy, we recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life. As one of the core subjects taught in Primary Schools, we give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires.
A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity. The pupils will be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science.
Through building up a body of key knowledge and concepts, pupils will be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. The pupils will be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.
At The Priory Voluntary Catholic Academy, in conjunction with the aims of the National Curriculum, our Science teaching offers opportunities for pupils to:
- 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;
- be familiar with, and use, technical vocabulary accurately and precisely;
- be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future.
- develop the essential scientific enquiry skills to deepen their scientific knowledge.
- Apply their mathematical knowledge to their understanding of science, including collecting, presenting and analysing data.
- Use a range of methods to communicate their scientific information and present it in a systematic, scientific manner, including I.C.T., diagrams, graphs and charts.
- Develop a respect for the materials and equipment they handle with regard to their own, and other pupils’ safety.
- Develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment of scientific learning and discovery.
We endeavour to ensure that the Science curriculum we provide will give pupils the confidence and motivation to continue to further develop their skills into the next stage of their education and life experiences.
Curriculum Implementation
Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all pupils are capable of achieving high standards in science. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following:
- Science will be planned and taught in topics by the class teacher (see National Curriculum). This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge.
- Through our planning, we involve problem solving opportunities that allow pupils to find out for themselves. Pupils are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom.
- Planning involves teachers creating engaging lessons, involving high-quality resources to aid understanding of conceptual knowledge.
- We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years (making this clearer to the pupils through the introduction of Science Knowledge Organisers).
Teachers use our Science progression ladders (working scientifically and scientific knowledge) when planning to ensure that they are building upon prior learning.
- As the pupils’ knowledge and understanding increases, and they become more proficient in selecting, using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results, they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence.
- Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess pupils regularly to identify those pupils with gaps in learning, so that all pupils keep up.
- Working Scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the pupil’s school career and 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 pupil’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning and workshops with experts.
