St Joseph's Catholic Primary School

The Science Subject Co-ordinator has created the school's own Scheme of Work, which is sequential and ambitious for all children. 

The scheme includes disciplinary knowledge (knowledge of how to work scientifically) as well as substantive knowledge (established factual knowledge). Children learn about the five science enquiry types:

• Research using secondary sources.
• Comparative and fair testing.
• Observing over time.
• Pattern seeking.
• Identifying, classifying and grouping.

In Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) your child will start to gain the science knowledge that they'll build on throughout their primary school years, such as developing their skills of observation, prediction, critical thinking and discussion.

Our curriculum is organised in such a way as to optimise the process of long-term memory retention. This is done through carefully assessing prior learning and knowledge and building upon this with memorable activities and revisiting concepts. Children are given time to practise and embed knew knowledge and make links between concepts.  The science curriculum is planned to take account of what pupils learn in other subjects, particularly mathematics. 

Practical Work

Pupils take part in effective practical work which has a clear purpose in relation to the curriculum. It forms part of a wider sequence of lessons and only takes place when pupils have enough prior knowledge to learn from the activity. Practical work not only develops pupils’ sense of wonder and curiosity about the material world but also teaches pupils about the often unpredictable and dynamic situations in which scientists work.

Our vision for science – Children will develop their science capital through inspirational and engaging hands-on lessons that relate to the world they know beyond the classroom. ‘What is science capital?’ 

Children will question and use the full range of enquiry types to plan, complete and analyse their own investigations and will consider excelling at science an attainable goal. Science vision and principles

Science laboratory: Our children benefit from being taught in our well-resourced, purpose-built science classroom. All children will have the opportunity to use the science lab during the year; KS1 will have a rolling programme of experiments to carry out each term, and KS2 have lessons in the lab on a weekly basis.

Assessment: Each half term children are taught a new topic. Their knowledge and understanding is actively assessed by their teacher for each topic in order to enable accurate planning to move their learning forward. Children are assessed at the end of the topic to ensure progress is made. Interventions may take place at any point during the topic as the teacher deems necessary. Progress and attainment is tracked for both substantive and disiplinary knowledge.

Science discovery days – There will be at least 3 science discovery days throughout the year, one during each term. The whole school will take part and focus on themes and activities that will motivate and inspire the pupils. We try to involve outside agencies wherever possible, such as Qinetiq, Pirbright Institute, Winchester Science Centre and the armed forces.

Learning Outside the Classroom: We endeavour to create as many learning opportunities outside of the classroom as we can to enrich the children’s learning. We use the school grounds (including our science outdoors area) and local environment (such as Brickfields Nature Reserve and Rowhills Nature Reserve, both of which are walking distance from our school) wherever possible.

Most Able Children: All children are planned for according to ability. This includes a group that is working in the top ten per cent of their age group. These children are given differentiated activities so that they are challenged in the classroom.

Safety: On any potentially dangerous activities thorough risk assessments are carried out to make sure the children are safe.

Please see HERE for the Curriculum Overview.

All children across the school enjoyed this years Science Days with children working togther and even being supported by our Year 6 children.