Science
Intent
At St James CofE Primary School, we encourage children to be inquisitive throughout their time at the school and
beyond. The Science curriculum fosters a healthy curiosity in children about our universe. We believe science
encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes. Throughout the programmes of
study, the children will acquire and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit and
across each year group.
The key knowledge identified by each year group is informed by the national curriculum and places emphasis
on ‘Working Scientifically’, by ensuring, that given time, children will develop a high level of understanding by
applying practical enquiry skills and building on prior learning. The curriculum is designed to ensure that children are able
to acquire key scientific knowledge through practical experiences; using equipment, conducting experiments,
building arguments and explaining concepts confidently. Children are encouraged to ask questions and be curious
about their surroundings and a love of science is nurtured through a whole school.
At St James CofE Primary School, we encourage children to be inquisitive throughout their time at the school and
beyond. The Science curriculum fosters a healthy curiosity in children about our universe. We believe science
encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes. Throughout the programmes of
study, the children will acquire and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit and
across each year group.
The key knowledge identified by each year group is informed by the national curriculum and places emphasis
on ‘Working Scientifically’, by ensuring, that given time, children will develop a high level of understanding by
applying practical enquiry skills and building on prior learning. The curriculum is designed to ensure that children are able
to acquire key scientific knowledge through practical experiences; using equipment, conducting experiments,
building arguments and explaining concepts confidently. Children are encouraged to ask questions and be curious
about their surroundings and a love of science is nurtured through a whole school.
Implementation Across the school, Science is given the same prominence as Maths and English and is. Our science curriculum places emphasis on ‘Working Scientifically’, as well as ensuring that given time, children will develop a high level of understanding by applying practical enquiry skills and building on prior learning. We follow the National Curriculum. This ensures that the design of our curriculum for Science meets the expectations set out for Key Stages 1 and 2 and, to support us in doing this, we use a range of teaching materials and resources. Developing the skills needed to work scientifically and experiencing hands on science is a key priority. We ensure this this by:
we add to their cultural scientific capital through science theme days and weeks. In EYFS, Science comes under the area of ‘Understanding the World’ in EYFS. The new Development Matters includes seasons and the weather, properties of materials, plants, growth and lifecycles of plants and animals, forces, our bodies and senses and habitats. As well as planned whole class topics e.g. the seasons, animals that live under the sea, we also follow the interests of the children. ![]() Assessment
We assess science using Primary Assertive Mentoring to ensure consistent recording, reporting and tracking of pupil progress in science across the whole school. Primary Assertive Mentoring organises the National Curriculum Programme of Study for science into clear assessment criteria for every year group (stage) across the school. We consistently track pupil progress against the relevant criteria for individuals and year groups. The ‘one sheet to view’ overview of children's performance across all areas which informs teaching, targets and interventions. |
Science Progression and Long Term Planning
Science Subject Leaders, have created science progression documents which map our school’s curriculum coverage across EYFS, KS1 and KS2. The clear structure and incremental nature of these documents is designed to provide guidance as to what teaching and learning will be covered within particular year groups and key stages. The progression documents have been designed to ensure that key concepts, skills and vocabulary are embedded across the school, as well as putting in place incremental learning steps which will continue to build on and broaden children’s scientific knowledge and understanding. Children’s understanding, capability within and mastery of science will be supported through this progressive curriculum by:
In science, the curriculum programme of study is broken up into discrete areas:
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