Intent

Science is about children developing a sense of enquiry and extending their knowledge and understanding of the world around them whilst having fun!  It allows them to explore their own concepts and ideas, so developing the techniques and processes required for investigation and deepening their understanding and knowledge.  Science forms the world in which the children live and so understanding it allows the children to appreciate and interact with their environment and the physical process that govern it.  It intertwines with the thread of faith within the school bringing awe and wonder of the natural and physical world.

'The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the creator. Science brings people nearer to God' 

Louis Pasteur.

At St John’s our aim is;

• To provide opportunities for pupils to expand their knowledge and understanding of science as encompassed in the 2014 National Curriculum.
• To develop the Science Capital of a child – to build up their science ‘tool kit’ and an awareness of Science’s role in their lives and in society as a whole.  To give them opportunities for a future in STEM and most of all to develop a love for Science.
• To 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.
• Give the children the skills and understanding of the process of investigation.
• Link science into other areas of the curriculum.
• To provide opportunities for pupils to develop their inter-personal skills by working in pairs or larger groups.
• To encourage curiosity and enquiry and to develop initiative and self-reliance.
• To promote good health and physical development.

Implementation

Through a variety of creative and practical activities in class and through special days and visits St. John’s aims to teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage with the Science curriculum and STEM as a whole. By revisiting, building upon and consolidating skills, lessons help children develop their understanding alongside introducing new skills, knowledge and challenges. The revision and introduction of key vocabulary is built into each lesson and topic themes. Children progress from simple hands on experiences with guided questions in EYFS, where they begin to learn about their world, to a full and detailed process of investigative process by the end of the Key Stage 2, exploring ideas and concepts about the world around them.

EARLY YEARS

THROUGHOUT THEIR TIME IN NURSERY AND RECEPTION THE CHILDREN ARE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE THE WORLD AROUND THEM.  THEY USE THEIR SENSES TO INVESTIGATE MATERIALS AND THEIR PROPERTIES, GET TO INTERACT WITH PLANTS AND ANIMALS AND USE PLAY TO FIND OUT ABOUT AND DESCRIBE THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND HOW IT CHANGES.

MIXED YEAR GROUPS ARE ON A ROLLING CURRICULUM, WITH ALL TOPICS OUTLINED WITHIN THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM TO BE COVERED OVER A 2 YEAR PERIOD.

THROUGHOUT EACH YEAR GROUP THERE ARE ALSO A NUMBER OF INSPIRATIONAL FEMALE, MALE AND MULTICULTURAL SCIENTISTS TO STUDY WHICH ARE LINKED TO EACH TOPIC FOCUS.  THESE WILL ALLOW THE CHILDREN TO DEVELOP THIER SCIENCE CAPITAL AND EXPLORE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD AND HOW SCIENCE INFORMS FAITH AND VICA VERSA. 

Assessment

Throughout school a variety of formative and summative assessment techniques, including end of unit tests, teacher assessment and an end of year summative assessments, are used to inform teachers of a pupils progress against the key objectives. Our Science Assessment and Progress Overviews, which we stick on the front of our books, ensure children are aware of the success criteria for each topic.

Impact

By the end of KS2 a St. John’s child will have skills and knowledge within Science that prepares them for, and encourages them to progress through, a journey within Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths (STEM).  They are encouraged to have an enquiring mind, an enthusiasm for the subject and an awareness of the direction that they could take to follow a path within the subject.   Their own science capital ‘bag’ is growing and they are aware of opportunities that are available to them.  Children should have a confidence, and most of all, an enjoyment for Science.

Special Days

There is nothing better than promoting Science by having special days, trips or visits.  The school links with the community through local visits to Carr Wood, the Green Way and BASF.  We have a Star Gazing event every year and link to online activities which have included speaking to polar explorers!  Trips are organised to local zoos and animals are brought in so the children can have first hand experience of the diversity of life on our planet.  An annual Science Day is organised to bring the whole school together for a STEM rich exploration on a theme.  In previous years we have promoted Famous Scientists, science within our everyday life or based our explorations around themes such as  'Water' or 'Races'.