Science

Our intent for science

At St Mary’s, through our teaching of Science, we aim to:

• Provide high quality science lessons
• Ensure our curriculum is progressive and varied, building on pupils’ prior knowledge.
• Stimulate children’s interest and enjoyment in the area of science
• Provide experiences that are linked to the themes studied, including trips and visitors
• Equip children to use themselves as starting points for learning about science, and to build on their enthusiasm and natural sense of wonder about the world.

The strands of the Science National Curriculum  

• develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the three specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
• develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through participation in 5 different types of scientific enquiries, enquiries that help them to ask and answer questions relating to the world around them.
• be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the importance, use and implications of science, today and for the future.

At St. Mary's, science lessons in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 are predominantly first-hand, practical experiences that promote curiosity, thinking and questioning and provide opportunities for children to discuss, draw and write simple evaluations about their discoveries.  Our youngest children are taught and encourage to use the correct scientific terminology during lessons in order to develop their vocabulary in an engaging and meaningful way.  When it comes to finding our about the world around them, young children are naturally inquisitive - we strive to develop this through engaging, hands-on, practical experiences.  

As our children progress to Key Stage 2, the learning journey continues and the lines of enquiry, knowledge and skills deepen. Pupils evidence their observations, experiences, investigations and further develop their ability to discuss, argue, feedback and collaborate with their peers.  Although practical activities continue to play a dominant role, older pupils are able to present and provide evidence of their learning and scientific thinking in a variety and increasing number of ways - selecting the one most appropriate to the task in hand.

For further information regarding our Science curriculum at the Infants, please contact Miss Greenal (Subject Lead) or Mrs Grange (Head of School) via the School Office.

We use Pzaz to deliver our Science curriculum at the Junior School. For further information regarding our Science curriculum, please contact Mrs Williams (Subject Lead) or Mrs Follin (Head of School) via the School Office.