Science

Intent

At All Saints we believe that delivering a high-quality level of education provides the foundations for children to build a body of key foundational knowledge and a well-rounded understanding of scientific concepts. We aim to ensure that all pupils:

• Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
• Cultivate a deep understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries, leading to answer scientific questions about the world around them.
• Are equipped with the scientific skills required to understand the uses and implications of science today and for the future. We understand that it is important for lessons to have a practical and skills-based focus, and that knowledge can be taught in this manner.

Implementation

At All Saints, teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all pupils are capable of achieving high standards in science. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following;

• As a whole school, year groups use the science scheme ‘Developing Experts’, which is taught in systematic units linking key skills and content to be covered in each year group.
• Teachers follow a personalised school progression map to ensure all content, skills, vocabulary and enquiry coverage is present in class practice. This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a superior depth of knowledge.
• Class teaching incorporates problem solving opportunities, which allow children to apply their knowledge and make discoveries within their learning.
• Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. Planning involves teachers creating engaging lessons, involving topic specific high-quality resources to aid understanding of conceptual knowledge.
• We build upon the knowledge and skill development of previous years. As the children’s knowledge and understanding increases, they become more proficient in selecting, using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results. Children become increasingly confident in their ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence. The Developing Expert scheme ensure that units from previous years and prior units taught in current year groups are returned to and recapped throughout the academic year.