Subject Leaders - Mrs Jefferies

Intent

• Provide the foundations for children to begin to understand the world around them.
• Ensure children have a secure understanding of a topic before moving on to ensure the progression of skills is embedded.
• Teach children to use technical scientific vocabulary precisely and accurately to explain concepts and justify their reasoning.
• To teach pupils knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science.
• Encourage pupils to understand to scientific concepts can be explained, predicted and analysed.
• Ensure pupils are aware of current scientific news to allow them to see the importance of science in our modern world.
• Develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena and the scientific world that we live in.
• Enthuse and engage children through enriching learning experiences and workshops.
• Teach the National Curriculum to the highest possible standard and show a progression of skills throughout a child’s time at St Paul’s.

Implementation

• Science is taught in Early Years Foundation Stage through the 'Understanding the World' strand of the Early Years statutory framework and assessed using the early learning goals. They are given opportunities to explore scientific concepts through structured play activities.
• Science is taught every week in KS1 and KS2 through engaging, practical lessons.
• Objectives are planned to ensure a progression of skills across the school using the National Curriculum for guidance.
• Working scientifically is embedded within every science topic to support the children’s knowledge and understand in that area.
• Collaborate with organisations such as STEM and The Small Piece Trust to inspire the children.
• A range of scientific enquiries are planned into the curriculum including: observing over time; pattern seeking; identifying, classifying and grouping; comparative and fair testing (controlled investigations); and researching using secondary sources.
• Staff are supported with CPD from the subject leaders and other sources.
• Teachers plan lessons that children will find engaging to encourage a genuine interest in the subject area.
• Children are taught the correct scientific vocabulary.
• Children are supported when orally explaining scientific knowledge in order to ensure they are articulating scientific ideas using appropriate vocabulary.
• Visits, trips and workshops are planned to help enrich the children's science experience.
• A biannual science week enthuses the children and allows them to experience a wide range of activities. The science fair during this week also promotes the oral explanation of scientific concepts and curiosity.
• Children are assessed summatively at the end of each half term by their teacher against both the National Curriculum objectives the working scientifically aims. The data informs planning in subsequent topics and year groups as the children progress in the school.
• We have a planning proforma which focuses teachers on the National Curriculum objectives and the Working Scientifically aims to ensure full coverage. This is closely linked to the assessment tool.

Impact

• Children should understand the importance of science in our society.
• Be continually excited and curious about the world around them.
• Use their experiences to explore ideas and raise questions.
• Have a secure understanding of the key scientific concepts and skills outlined in the National Curriculum.
• See science as an interesting and engaging subject.
• Be equipped with the skills to select, plan and carry out an enquiry.
• Be ready to continue to learn about science at secondary school to explore science through biology, chemistry and physics.
• Children become inquisitive, budding scientists.
• The summative assessment tool provides both teachers and children knowledge of what level they currently working at and focused areas to improve during subsequent topics and interventions. It will also provide a level for school reports which is supported by the data.
• The new rigorous assessment tool and the planning proforma ensure that children are being taught the full breath of the science curriculum throughout their time at St Paul’s.