Science Curriculum

Intent

At St Benedict’s, our vision is to provide children with a Science curriculum that enables them to explore and discover the world around them. We want our children to have a love of science and to know that they are future scientists in the making. To accomplish this, we aim to provide lessons taught through scientific enquiry; with practical experiences to encourage a deeper understanding and curiosity. We aim to promote and develop transferrable skills such as observation, communication and team work to develop the whole child as a lifelong learner. Our objective is to provide lessons which consolidate and build upon prior knowledge, encourage deeper understanding and that are rooted in scientific vocabulary.

 

Implementation

Our Science curriculum has been developed to ensure progression of skills, knowledge and learning opportunities for each year group takes place and repetition throughout the key stages ensures this is embedded in children’s learning. For example, the way plants grow is taught throughout the school allows the topic to be revisitied in each key stage. In KS1 , the children explore ‘Plants’ where they look at the types of plants, the
structure of flowering plants and conditions for growth. In Lower KS2 they explore the part that flowers play in the life cycle of flowering plants & pollination, they look at requirements for growth and how they vary in different plants. In upper KS2 the children learn about the life cycles and reproduction in plants, the classification of plants and how plants adapt to suit their environment. We expect our children to develop scientific characteristics which are embedded within their work. These characteristics are:

  • To be independent thinkers and ask questions
  • To be confident in using practical skills and be able to plan and take the lead in planning and carrying out investigations and fieldwork
  • To have good scientific knowledge & understanding and be able to explain their scienctific findings using this knowledge
  • To be passionate about science and understand how it has impacts on all our lives

Class teachers plan lessons based on the long term plans curriculum map and when appropriate, links are made with other curriculum areas to help to embed this knowledge and deepen children’s learning. For example, in the foundation stage, when children are learning about freezing and melting, they use their investigations to help them to melt ice shapes and ‘Free the superheroes’ as part of their book themed topic on ‘Supertato’. This enables children to make connections in their learning and embed their understanding further.

 

Impact 

The impact of our Science curriculum is measured through class teacher assessment during lessons and at the end of each science topic. Children also assess their own learning at the end of each topic using the whole school assessment tool ‘Balance’. The expectations for each year group link with the progression skills and topics. Class teachers can use this information to inform their short-term planning and identify children who need more support in particular areas of science, as well as those who are exceeding in them. Children’s work is also monitored through learning walks, staff meeting discussions and book scrutinies throughout the year. This information is collected, reviewed and adaptations to the planning, support and curriculum are made when necessary.

Key Documents

Headteacher: Mr M Phillips
Email: admin.stbenedicts@schools.sefton.gov.uk
Address: St Benedict's Catholic Primary School, Copy Lane, Netherton, Bootle, England, L30 7PG

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