Science
Science at St George's
It is our vision to instil a lifelong love of science within our pupils. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity. We work hard to provide a rich and varied curriculum to challenge and meet the needs of our children. We believe all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science.
Intent
At St George’s, in conjunction with the National Curriculum, our Science teaching offers a range of opportunities for our pupils:
- To develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
- To develop an understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them.
- To be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science today and for the future.
With the above in mind, we intend to nurture future scientists and ‘global citizens’ in many ways:
- Through a well-planned and sequenced curriculum which will engage and enthuse our pupils.
- Prepare our pupils for future learning and employment.
- Ensure that ALL learners are given the opportunity to gain knowledge and cultural capital to succeed.
Implementation
Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards in this core subject. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves many aspects:
- Staff subject knowledge is continuously being strengthened so that a well-sequenced curriculum is delivered: a curriculum that builds on prior knowledge; focuses on key scientific vocabulary and concepts; and makes links to other subjects within the curriculum, whilst pre-empting and addressing misconceptions.
- Prior learning is built upon. As the children’s knowledge and understanding increases, and they become more proficient in selecting and?using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results, they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence.
- Pupils at St George’s learn about?natural phenomena through a range of teaching strategies, including practical investigations, which are at the heart of the teaching and learning of science. In order to encourage a ‘hands on, minds on’ approach to learning, teachers deliver lessons which ensure pupils are exposed to all 6 types of enquiry and are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science today and for the future. Stimulating experiments not only allow for the pupils to practice working scientifically skills, but also act as hooks for our pupils. However, we are committed to?ensuring that our children can articulate the scientific explanations behind all the excitement and can retain knowledge, rather than just have the memory of a ‘fun’ task.
- Wherever possible, in order to further enhance and embed the learning, science is linked to other subjects within the curriculum providing a range of contexts and allowing pupils to make connections and build secure knowledge webs. For example, In Year 3 when the children learn about the Stone Age in history they also learn about Rocks in science.
- Each science unit has an accompanying knowledge organiser which can be used to help reinforce the key knowledge for each unit as set out in the science national curriculum. The knowledge organisers help children to consolidate and retain the science knowledge they have learnt and also reinforce key scientific vocabulary from each unit.
- With our few children that have English as an additional language, we place an emphasis on speaking and listening skills, supporting pupils to articulate their understanding with the use of correct scientific vocabulary and sentence starters.
- A range of strategies (auditory, kinaesthetic, visual and tactile) are used to ensure all learners, including those with special educational needs, are able to access the science curriculum and achieve their potential.
- We understand that assessing is done best while pupils are ‘doing science’ and not when science is over; therefore, timely and focused assessments are carried out in order to identify specific areas for development and to plan subsequent lessons.
- Science is continually changing our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity – at St George’s, we highlight this endless development to the children at every given opportunity and create openings for pupils to learn about possible careers in science through community links and connections with national agencies such as the STEM Association.
- A buzz and excitement for the subject has been created through a range of enrichment?opportunities: British Science Week activities, Mad Science Assemblies, Mad Science afterschool club, Protecting our Planet Day, The Great Science Share, Space Virtual Reality day, Interview with a Polar Research Scientist (STEM Ambassador), World Oceans Day and Science Day + Fair (which involve parents and families).
On our journey towards being fantastic learners, we aim to inspire each pupil to raise their aspirations by exploring all areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). We realise, and ensure the children do too, that we could have among us today some future scientists and engineers who will make life changing discoveries and developments to make our world a better place!
Impact
The successful approach at St George’s results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world.?The impact of a well-designed curriculum, coupled with outstanding teaching, leads to articulate, knowledgeable and skilled young scientists who are ready to move on to their next topic, year group, phase, or beyond St George’s. The learning that takes place in our ‘laboratories’ is showcased though our science books, photos, displays and independent assessment activities, but largely?through our eloquent young scientists.
Science Knowledge Organisers
Please click on the links below to download.