Science at St Thomas'
Intent - Our vision for Science
At St Thomas’, we aim to provide pupils with a Science curriculum that enables them to explore and discover the world around them, providing excellent opportunities for pupils to make meaningful links between learning and the real world. We will develop the natural curiosity of the child, encourage respect for living organisms and the physical environment and provide opportunities for critical evaluation of evidence.
We ensure that the Working Scientifically skills are developed and extended throughout pupils' time at our school so that they can apply their knowledge of Science when using equipment, conducting experiments, building arguments and confidently explaining scientific concepts. Our objective is to provide lessons which consolidate prior knowledge, encourage deeper understanding and that are rooted in scientific vocabulary.
We nurture pupils' curiosity through making use of our school grounds and local area, inviting visitors into school including animal workshops and health professionals, trips to museums and forest school sessions.
Through experiment, practice and discussion, pupils gain core knowledge around:
• Scientific vocabulary
• ‘Working scientifically’ skills including systematic and careful observations and following practical
scientific methods
• The gathering and interpretation of straightforward scientific evidence
• The use of everyday materials and scientific equipment to solve science problems
• Articulating scientific concepts and using five types of science enquiries
We believe that pupils should be taught Science in a way that helps nurture an understanding of the value of scientific skills. We think Science learning should be engaging and inspiring.
Implementation – How we plan for, and teach Science
The National Curriculum Programme of Study for Science describes a sequence of knowledge and concepts, processes and methods. This sequence of knowledge and concepts is arranged as progressive blocks of key ideas in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, alongside a progression in the skills of working scientifically.
St Thomas’ uses the White Rose Science scheme to provide a structured and coherent programme of learning that builds progressively through each year.
White Rose Science provides engaging lesson content in the same progressive, step-by-step method as the White Rose Maths scheme, which has proved very successful here.
Practical experiences of working scientifically are integral to the White Rose scheme. We aim to inspire and excite children with such activities so that they view scientific learning positively.
The link below shows Progression Charts where the key ideas within Biology, Chemistry and Physics in the National Curriculum are arranged to show how they are related to each other and how one idea builds on another. The National Curriculum statements have been edited into key ideas statements. The source of each key idea is identified by the year group and the Programme of Study topic heading. Some additional statements have been added to make important links between ideas.
The link below will take you to the National Curriculum Programme of Study for Science.
Impact - How we evaluate learning in Science
Through the growing knowledge of Science, pupils will design tests, carry out investigations and collect data teaching logical thinking and the importance of a methodical approach. Pupils will recognise the power of rational explanation using correct scientific vocabulary and will draw conclusions based on outcomes. They will test theories and hypotheses developing critical thinking skills, enabling pupils to make links between ideas. St Thomas’ Scientists become open minded and respectful of their world and each other. By being motivated, reflective and resilient learners, they will be able to articulate their understanding of key concepts and recognise how Science has changed their lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity.
The most important assessments teachers make are during Science lessons, as teachers observe, question pupils and check their work. This helps teachers decide how to further support and challenge pupils as they learn.
Pupils are also assessed using White Rose Science end of block assessments. This helps teachers understand how much progress towards each step of the key learning of the National Curriculum each pupil has made and helps the school as a whole understand how successful its Science curriculum is.