Science

Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.

Psalm 111:2

Science teaching at Blessed Robert Widmerpool aims to provide an outstanding science education for all our pupils that establishes a ‘Culture of Excellence’.  Our Intent is to foster a love of science by offering a challenging and stimulating science curriculum. We want pupils to build on prior subject knowledge and develop their curiosity about the natural world, as this will enable them to develop the scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding that they need to engage in the world around them whilst acquiring specific skills and knowledge to help them to think scientifically, to gain an understanding of scientific processes and also an understanding of the uses and implications of Science. It aims to stimulate a child’s curiosity in finding out why things happen in the way they do.  It teaches methods of enquiry and investigation to stimulate creative thought. Children learn to ask scientific questions and begin to appreciate the way science will affect their future on a personal, national, and global level. We live in an increasingly scientific and technological age where children need to acquire the knowledge, skills and understanding to prepare them for life in the 21st century.

Learning and Teaching

Scientific enquiry skills are embedded in each topic the children study and these topics are revisited and developed throughout their time at school. This allows children to build upon their prior knowledge and increases their enthusiasm for the topics whilst embedding this procedural knowledge into the long-term memory.

All children are encouraged to develop and use a range of skills including observations, planning and investigations, as well as being encouraged to question the world around them and become independent learners in exploring possible answers for their scientific based questions. Specialist vocabulary for topics is taught and built up, and effective questioning to communicate ideas is encouraged. Concepts taught are reinforced by focusing on the key features of scientific enquiry, so that pupils learn to use a variety of approaches to answer relevant scientific questions

Children’s knowledge, skills, and understanding is developed through whole-class and enquiry-based research activity. Children are encouraged to ask, as well as answer, scientific questions. Opportunities are provided to use a variety of data, such as statistics, graphs, pictures, and photographs. ICT is used in science lessons where it enhances their learning. Children take part in role-play and discussions and present reports to the rest of the class.  Children also engage in a wide variety of problem-solving activities.

Wherever possible, pupils are involved ‘real’ life scientific activities.

Children are encouraged to work in these ways, so that they will ultimately gain confidence to ask questions and devise investigations to answer them.

To cater for a range of different scientific abilities learning opportunities are provided for all children by matching the challenge of the task to the ability of the child.

Science Curriculum Planning

The content of the science curriculum is devised from the National Curriculum, children’s interests and response to national and international events.  Science is planned in a cross-curricular way so that it builds upon children’s prior learning.  Opportunities provided ensure children of all abilities develop their skills and knowledge in each unit. Working Scientifically   Progression is built into the science scheme of work, so that the children are increasingly challenged as they move through the school.

Curriculum Overviews provide the overall topic theme and indicate the links with other curriculum areas.  Skills, Knowledge and Progression documents outline the key learning of the National Curriculum statements and key vocabulary which will be learnt.  In order to meet the expectations pupils must firstly understand the key concept and then be provided with opportunities to apply that knowledge.