Science

Intent

At St Mark’s CE Primary School, every child is a Scientist that is able to discover the mysteries of our world for themselves. We are passionate about our science curriculum being high-quality, ambitious and integrated throughout our projects.

Science is a fundamental part of our daily lives, and all pupils are entitled to be taught the essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of Science. At St Mark’s, our intent is to provide a knowledge and skills rich science curriculum that focusses on learning through first hand experiences. Our science curriculum enables children to confidently problem solve and ask important questions about the universe and world that surrounds them and understand key concepts with a deeper level of thinking. 

At St Mark’s, we believe that all children have the right to an exciting and engaging science curriculum, with opportunities to enquire, investigate and ask those 'what if?' and 'how does this work?' Questions, to further enhance their own learning and ensure the progress of scientific thought. We stimulate the children’s natural curiosity and sense of awe and wonder about the universe in which they live, building their cultural capital by providing the fundamental skills that they will be able to take forward into adult life. Through this we know that our children will be able to appreciate how the growth of scientific knowledge and understanding has affected their everyday lives.

Our teaching of Science, through our integrated curriculum encourages strong connections between core and non-core subjects such as English and Art. Our intent is to continue to embed our CIRCLE Values and Learning Values into the planning of Science, sharing our knowledge with the wider community.

Our children’s scientific wonder and understanding is further supported by our participation in The Ogden Trust Farnborough Partnership and a STEM Super Enthuse Cluster. Our children have opportunities to attend multi-school events (for example an Astronomy evening), to become Science Ambassadors and take part in playground experiments. Even our youngest children regularly undertake science experiments and investigations.

Our children are passionate about exploring the world and understanding it better. They leave our school eager to build on the firm foundations of scientific knowledge, conceptual understanding and scientific skills we have provided and keen to investigate the world further.

Implementation

St Mark’s CE Primary School has created an engaging, high-quality integrated curriculum that ensures progression across all year groups within Science. Science is taught through different projects across the year, either as the lead subject or as a supporting subject. In a project where Science is the lead subject, clear cross-curricular connections in other core and non-core subjects are seen in all year groups. Longitudinal studies are also undertaken by each class so that the children can understand the effects of seasonal change on our local environment.

As the children’s knowledge and understanding develops, and they become more proficient in selecting, using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results, they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence.

In Reception, children are introduced to Science through Understanding of the World. Through adult led activities and the classroom provision, they are given opportunities to observe, sort, classify and perform simple tests. For example, exploring different materials to make house that the big bad wolf cannot blow down. They are encouraged to discuss weather and seasonal changes, both in the classroom environments and on their welly walks.

In Key Stage One, Lower Key Stage Two and Upper Key Stage Two, the Science curriculum is split into different areas and taught through integrated projects. Our two-year rolling programme ensures all National Curriculum objectives are covered and there are opportunities for our children to develop and build upon their knowledge and skills effectively, whilst also applying knowledge from previous learning.

Science is planned with exciting and interesting hooks that encourage the children’s natural curiosity and challenge preconceptions. Each project has a clear outcome to work towards, that enables children to develop their scientific skills, knowledge and language simultaneously. Children are given the opportunity to go on school trips to places like RHS Garden Wisley, Marwell Zoo and Bird World. We also participate in Ogden Trust events, for example Year 5 Astronomy Evening, that help to embed the children’s learning during a project and broaden their knowledge and cultural capital.

Throughout our science curriculum we offer the opportunity for children to work scientifically, to be hands-on and find things out for themselves. We encourage our pupils to be inquisitive and ask and answer questions about the world around them. Through experiment and enquiry, we help the children to understand that there isn’t always one answer to a question. We provide the children with opportunities to spend time making observations and use scientific equipment, performing simple tests to draw conclusions. We offer opportunities for children to reflect on and record their findings drawing conclusions on what they have seen.