Science at St Mark's

'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, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encourages to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave and analyse causes.' 

Children should be taught 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
• are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.’

The National Curriculum

Key concepts and big ideas:

• Develop an understanding and breadth of knowledge to make sense of the world around us.

• Prepare children to successfully contribute to the world we live in.
• Foster an understanding of the consequences of our actions on our environment

INTENT

Here at St Mark's Primary School it is our intention to enthuse, inspire and engage the next generation of scientists through a challenging, explorative and practical science curriculum. We aim to provide a high-quality science curriculum which provides strong foundations for understanding the world through the key scientific principles of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world's future prosperity, and our curriculum aims to teach all pupils essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. 

Our aims are that all pupils will: 

• 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 equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

IMPLEMENTATION

Science in the Early Years Foundation Stage

The EYFS Early Learning Goals and the Development Matters document are used for our youngest pupils in Nursery and Reception. We believe that the Early Years Foundation Stage is crucial in securing solid foundations that children will continue to build upon. All children deserve to be valued as individuals and we are passionate in encouraging all children to achieve their full, unique potential. With this in mind, we begin each year by looking at the individual needs and interests of our children, considering their different starting points. When we work together to develop and carry out our flexible EYFS curriculum, taking into account the prime and specific areas of learning. This enables children to follow their learning journey from a point that is suitable to their unique needs and stage of development, supporting them to develop into independent learners with a thirst for knowledge and a desire to learn. 

Science underpins a large proportion of our Early Years Curriculum and is a key element in the strand 'Understanding the World.'

Science in KS1 and KS2

St Mark's Primary School uses the new Primary Curriculum science objectives as guidance for teaching KS1 and KS2. The subject leader for science works together with each year group to provide three phases of planning. 

• A long-term overview of the topics the class will be studying
• A medium-term breakdown of the objectives from the National Curriculum that will be taught across each topic through topic cover sheets
• Short-term objectives for each science lesson that the children can understand and master

We are an inclusive school and recognise that children will be of different scientific abilities. We provide suitable learning opportunities for all children by matching the challenge of the task. This includes:

• Setting common tasks which are open ended and can have a variety of responses
• Setting tasks of increasing difficulty
• Grouping children and setting different tasks to peer support and challenge
• Providing resources of different complexity according to the ability of the child to support their learning
• Using classroom assistants to support the work of individual and groups of children

We ensure that all children have the opportunity to achieve.

IMPACT

The subject leader ensures the scientific knowledge and skills are being taught rigorously and will develop a portfolio of monitoring, assessment examples and staff and pupil voice to ensure our curriculum is having an impact on the children's scientific knowledge and skills. 

Practical working and enrichment opportunities:

All teachers are encouraged to incorporate as much practical working within science as possible. It is well researched that learning is stronger through experience and we value practical working, investigation and observation. 

We also include enrichment events throughout the year. This includes the Science day where children have the opportunity to choose a scientific topic in a mixed year group setting and this includes a high-quality investigation with a practical outcome. We also have a STEM option as a choice for budding scientists as part of our enrichment day opportunities. Children in years five and six visit the Winchester Science Centre and the school has a visit from Wessex Water to discuss subjects such as water purification, usage and saving water. St Mark's has strong links to the Secondary School adjacent to our site who provide our children with the change to experience Science lesson making the most of their extensive facilities.