Intent:

The children at CSPA will receive a high quality science education which will provide the foundations for making sense of the world around them. They will build this through a systematic study of the key disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics in order to establish and develop a body of scientific knowledge and concepts.

The children will be encouraged to use and recognise the power of rational explanation so that they can start to “think like a scientist”, explain what they have observed, predict how things will behave, look for patterns and analyse causes. 

The children will develop an understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries and investigations, and explore how to pose and answer questions scientifically i.e “work like a scientist”

By nurturing an understanding of both scientific knowledge and processes, and the role of key scientific figures, the children should better appreciate the role science has played in the past, plays in their current lives and the implications of science for their own futures. 

Above all at CSPA, we aim to promote and encourage the children’s natural curiosity for their world. We want to foster a sense of excitement through discovery and exploration of natural phenomena and maintain that sense of awe and wonder which generates further interest in everything around them.

Implementation:

Science is taught with reference to the structural development outlined in the Programme of Study for Key Stage 2 in the National Curriculum for Science 2015. The disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics are taught to the children using the terminology of ‘The Natural World and Living Things (Biology)’;’Materials’(Chemistry) and various discrete aspects of Physics such as ‘Forces’, ‘Light’, ‘Space’, ‘Electricity’

The CSPA Curriculum Overview demonstrates how the content areas of the science curriculum are taught. At the start of each period of study, time is allowed for recap and checking pupils’ previous knowledge.

Coverage of scientific method, processes and developing scientific skills is embedded within the planning for each science ‘topic’, where practical.

The sequence of science teaching across the Key Stage ensures secure understanding allowing for developmental progression of concepts.

Children will be taught and vigorously encouraged to use the correct scientific language/vocabulary and terminology in Science lessons and the classroom.

Cross curricular links will be made to other relevant areas such as maths (data handling) and IT. This may include home learning research or projects.

In a normal academic year, pupils may engage in Science Days/ Weeks/Workshops where exciting hands on activities and tasks will inspire and motivate the children.

Teaching and learning are monitored by subject leaders; teachers are supported and resourced to provide high quality lessons and outcomes. Formative Assessments may be undertaken to inform future planning and adjustments to the curriculum.

Impact:

Children will leave CSPA with a firm foundation of scientific knowledge, concepts and skills, on which to build in further studies. Their science studies will be broad and balanced across the science curriculum, and meet the requirements of the Programme of Study for Key Stage 2 in the National Curriculum for Science 2015. Teachers will be confident in their subject knowledge and how to teach it. Children will be motivated and curious to learn and discover all about the natural world around them.

Children will be able to observe carefully, make sensible predictions, and suggest rational reasons for why things happen based on their scientific experience, knowledge and scientific skill set. They will have an understanding of how to carry out a fair test, record and interpret relevant data, suggest hypotheses and answer questions.

Children will be able to identify significant Scientists of the past and present (both male and female) who have contributed to the development of scientific understanding. Children will understand the relevance of science to their everyday lives and future.