Science

Science at St Matthew’s

Friendship, Discovery, Prayer

Intent

At St Matthew’s, Science enables our children to discover more about the world through questioning, scientific knowledge and experimentation.  As one of the core subjects taught in Primary Schools, we give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires.  We ensure that the ‘working scientifically’ progression of skills are developed and followed from EYFS to Upper KS2, which allows the pupils to increase in confidence as well as ensuring that each pupil has the opportunity to view themselves as scientists. The school’s approach to science takes account of the school’s own context, ensuring access to a range of experiences and opportunities for scientific discovery.  Cross-curricular opportunities are also identified, mapped and planned to ensure contextual relevance. Children are encouraged to be curious about their surroundings and a love of science is nurtured through a whole school ethos and a varied science curriculum.  Scientific language is modelled effectively and built upon as topics are revisited in different year groups and across key stages.

Implementation

Planning for science is based on the National Curriculum, with working scientifically, following a progressive approach.  At the start of each unit, children carry out a knowledge harvest to recap what they already know, as well as discuss what they want to find out.  This creates questions for the class to investigate and discover the answers to.

Each unit of work is carefully planned to ensure the relevant key features of scientific enquiry are taught explicitly:  observing over time; pattern seeking; identifying, classifying and grouping; comparative and fair testing.  Modelling of key scientific vocabulary and definitions is used throughout units and displayed on working walls.

Learning from prior year groups is built upon to develop depth of understanding, as well as progression of skills in a clear and systematic way.

Science is taught discretely, however, meaningful links across the curriculum are made to ensure creative cross-curricular learning.

St Matthew’s also has a Science mix up day.  Children from Early Years up to Year 6 are put together in groups and carry out a range of practical investigations.  This promotes friendship and discovery across the year groups.

Impact

The impact of the above is that children at St Matthew’s will:

• - Retain knowledge of the Science curriculum with real life examples
• - Be able to question ideas and reflect upon knowledge
• - Be able to explain Scientific concepts and reason scientifically using relevant vocabulary
• - Work independently as well as part of a group to investigate and experiment
• - Develop a passion for Science to support their journey as scientists in to KS3 and beyond
• - Be able to use working scientific skills across a range of tasks, as well as to be able to organise, record and interpret results.

Achieve age related expectations for Science at the end of an academic year. 

Please click here to see the Science Progression Map.