St Paul's Catholic Primary School

At St Paul’s Catholic Primary School we want our children to be naturally curious about the world around them. Our curriculum has been developed by staff to ensure full coverage of the National Curriculum and to foster a sense of wonder about the world we live in. We are committed to providing a stimulating, engaging and challenging learning environment. Our intent is to ensure that the whole school is working scientifically by using Herts for learning as a resource to support the understanding of how to work scientifically. We want our children to be able to have a more hands on approach to learning and develop their understanding of how to plan and execute a range of science experiments. Our intent is to develop and broaden children’s scientific vocabulary. Scientific language is to be taught and built upon as topics are revisited in different year groups and across key stages.

At St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, Science topics are taught within each year group in accordance with the National Curriculum.

• Every year group will build upon the learning from prior year groups therefore developing depth of understanding and progression of skills.
• Knowledge organisers are available for children at the start of each new topic, Including from previous year groups to support children to build on their knowledge.
• Children can explain, classify, observe, question, investigate, predict as well as evaluate their findings.
• Children present their findings and learning using science specific language which is progression through the school, observations and diagrams.
• In order to support children in their ability to ‘know more and remember more’ there are regular opportunities to review the learning taken place in previous topics as well as previous lessons including flashback 4s.
• At the start of each topic children will review previous learning and will have the opportunity to share what they already know about a current topic.
• The first lesson in each topic will be a 'Hook' lesson to ensure the children are engaged and excited. 
• To support teaching, teachers access a range of resources and planning from the Kent Scheme of Learning.
• Effective use of education visits and visitors are planned, to enrich and enhance the pupil’s learning experiences within the Science curriculum.
• Teachers promote enjoyment and enthusiasm within their planning and teaching.
• Teachers use highly effective assessment for learning in each lesson to ensure misconceptions are highlighted and addressed.
• Through using a range of assessment tools, differentiation is facilitated by teachers, to ensure that each pupil can access the Science curriculum.
• Effective modelling by teachers ensures that children are able to achieve their learning intention, with misconceptions addressed within it.
• Pupils are regularly given the opportunity for self or peer assessment, which will then be used to inform planning, preparation, differentiation and address misconceptions within that lesson, or for the next lesson.
• Children use purple pen to further their learning and extend their understanding.

The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum supports children’s understanding of Science through the planning and teaching of ‘Understanding the World.’ Children are given many opportunities to find out about objects, materials and living things using all of their senses looking at similarities, differences, patterns and change. Skilled teachers use knowledge and the environment to extend and encourage explorative play using modelling to support and extend learning. Children are encouraged to ask questions about why things happen and how things work. Children enjoy spending time outdoors exploring mini-beasts and their habitats within our school grounds, observing the changing seasons, plants and animals using practical activities. Through the year the children participate in cookery and baking sessions which allows them to experience changes in state as ingredients are mixed, heated and cooled.

• The impact of this curriculum design will lead to outstanding progress over time, across key stages, relative to a child’s individual starting point and their progression of skills.
• Most will be expected to achieve at least age related expectations for Science.
• Children will work collaboratively and practically to investigate and experiment.
• Through experiences within our Science curriculum pupils will be enthusiastic Science learners and understand that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity.
• We want to empower our children so they understand they have the capability to change the world. This is evidenced in a range of ways, including pupil voice, their work and their overwhelming enjoyment for science.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z6svr82- KS1 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z2pfb9q- KS2

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b09yn3ly/maddies-do-you-know- Maddie Moate

https://www.stem.org.uk/primary-science- resources

https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/games-and-apps- Science Museum

https://pstt.org.uk/resources/curriculum-materials/Science-Fun-at-Home- Science fun at home