Intent

Science is an integral part of our high quality, board and balanced curriculum at St. Lawrence Primary school. We aim to teach the children the range of scientific skills and knowledge required to spark their curiosity of the world around them. We aim to inspire our pupils by providing opportunities to ask questions in order to develop a sense of interest and enthusiasm for science. We aim to do this through a curriculum which is designed to ensure that all pupils are given the opportunity to develop their scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding. We also aim for our children to develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of Science through different types of science enquiries that help them answer scientific questions about the world around them. Through this, we aspire for our children to be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future.

Implementation

The Science curriculum follows the objectives of the National Curriculum. An enquiry approach is used as the basis for the delivery of Science throughout the school.  We have established a school curriculum plan for Science as an entitlement for all pupils. Each year group from Years 1-6 has clear planned out Science topics that build upon learning from prior year groups to ensure progression is achieved.

The science topics are progressive across all year groups in terms of the complexity of the ‘subject knowledge’ and building key ‘enquiry’ and ‘working scientifically’ skills.

Within the Early Years we provide opportunities for pupils to acquire and apply critical thinking skills to real life scenarios. Science is integral to the Early Learning Goal of Understanding the World. Pupils are encouraged to make sense of the natural world and make observations of animals and plants. They also learn about changes in the natural world and changing states of matter.

Impact 

The impact of the Science curriculum at St. Lawrence Primary School can be seen through:

• Our children retaining knowledge that gives them the foundations for understanding the world.
• Our children are able to question ideas, reflect upon knowledge and gain resilience when outcomes challenge their ideas
• Our children work collaboratively to investigate and experiment, generating their own ideas for investigation where appropriate
• Our children are able to articulate their knowledge with confidence and to suggest improvements to their own work