Subject Leader: Mrs K Grant
‘A scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, he’s the one who asks the right questions.’- Claude Levi-Strauss.
Vision
Science will stimulate the minds of our learners. It will encourage curiosity within our learners to give them a deeper understanding of the world using an inquiry- based approach. This is outlined in our vision documents for KS1/KS2 which was created as part of our PSQM accreditation which are visible on all science displays within the school.
Intent
At St Augustine’s, we fully recognise science as a core subject across key stages one and two and value its importance in the EYFS curriculum through developing children’s knowledge of the world. As a Catholic school, we believe that learning about and being respectful towards the world that God created for us, is of upmost importance.
We set a good example to the children and always promote respect for the environment during every lesson we teach. In our science curriculum, we aim to ensure all pupils develop lively, inquiring minds and the ability to question. We want our children to develop scientific skills and acquire appropriate knowledge with progression throughout the Key Stages. It is our intent that our children build on their natural curiosity; enabling them to understand and care for the world in which they live.
Implementation
As a school, we have now implemented the use of the Kapow scheme for our science teaching and learning. This provides a clear and intentional progression of lessons within each topic. Children are provided with opportunities to develop and build upon skills which will engage and inspire them, whilst building confidence. They are encouraged to take an active part in their science learning in order to progress in the working scientifically strand of learning within science and become scientists of the future. Teachers model a love of science and enquiry-based learning so that children can progress and develop their scientific interests. Science lessons are taught weekly within a 1 hour learning slot in EYFS/ KS1 and then 2 hour slots in KS2.
Impact
Monitoring of science teaching and learning last year has shown that children have developed their scientific understanding through enquiry-based learning experiences. We have a bi-termly STEAM club to promote science capital that uses the Crest Awards as hooks to promote RICH learning. Children have expressed an enjoyment and appreciation for science during pupil conferencing. We were successfully accredited with the prestigious PSQM for science in September 2024 which highlights our schools strengths within the teaching and learning of science. We are noticed for being strong advocates for STEAM learning and enquiry-based learning. We do have further post-actions to implement from the PSQM which are highlighted in the actions to continue to develop within this academic year below in order to continue our hard work and dedication as a staff to enable all children to have positive and enriching scientific experiences both in the classroom and outside of the classroom also.
Science Whole School Curriculum Map
Science Vocabulary Progression
Key Concepts Progressive Skills Curriculum Map
Knowledge and Skills Map for STEAM
Scientific Enquiry
Below are some websites to help with science learning and exploring:
Department for Education online resources for Science (PE, Wellbeing and SEND)
National Geographic Kids- Science
Website: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/
Key Stages: Key Stage 1 and 2
This website has lots of resources and packs to help support your child or just explore something new too! You have to register with an adult’s email but it’s free.
BBC Bitesize- Home Learning Service
Key Stage 1 link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z6svr82
Key Stage 2 link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z2pfb9q
Free learning with videos to support learning. Some topics also have links to resources such as worksheets too.
Wow Science
Website: https://wowscience.co.uk/
Key stages: both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2
This website has videos, quizzes and lots of information on a range of topics that cover the primary curriculum.
Mad Science
Website: https://www.madsciencepromo.com/athomeexperiments
Key stages: both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2
Lots of videos and ideas for experiments to do at home. There are also science themed colouring in pages that you can download and print off.
Other useful websites you may wish to look at:
https://www.nasa.gov/kidsclub/index.html
http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/revision/Science/index.html
https://www.stem.org.uk/primary/resources/collections/science