Science

Intent

At Holy Name RC Primary, our main aim in Science is to provide children with an engaging, exciting and empowering curriculum which equips them for today and tomorrow. Our Science curriculum is designed to be aspirational, ensuring that pupils leave with an appreciation of Science in every aspect of human life, with a view to working together to create a better world for future generations by learning how to take care of, respect and value our planet - under the teachings of Pope Francis’s Laudato Si, children “care for our common home” which is the overarching theme for our curriculum.

Our Science curriculum has been specifically tailored to meet the unique context of our school. It is designed to be broad and balanced, providing all pupils with the opportunity to master their learning and deepen their knowledge, making sense and giving purpose as to why we learn about science and what it means to be a scientist. We expect teachers to provide pupils with challenging big questions about Science, which will help them change and transform our society, putting their faith into action.

At Holy Name, we recognise the importance of Science in every aspect in daily life, as one of the core subjects taught in our schools, we give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires. We believe that Science helps to develop pupil’s curiosity in the natural world. Thus, making sure that it has been heavily embedded in the planning of our Eco-Schools teaching.  Each year group will benefit from having sessions with our Eco-School’s leader who will strengthen the understanding of what has been taught in the classroom.  We aim to promote and equip children with the knowledge, skills and understanding of the world and our place in it. We encourage respect for living organisms and the physical environment and provide opportunities for critical evaluation of evidence.  We have a new exciting curriculum which has an emphasis on an overarching theme for each year group with a related termly question, and this is precisely what we want the children do in science, ask questions and investigate their answers.  We also value the importance of Science as a core subject but also as a link to other curricular areas, especially through providing a context for the teaching and learning of Design & Technology. We relish the opportunities to encourage reading, writing and art through Science and celebrate Black and Asian scientists throughout the year but especially during Black History Month.

Our children have a wealth of opportunities available to them in our city and we endeavour to reveal these to the children at a young age. Making links with GMEC (Greater Manchester Engineering Challenge) and The Whitworth Art Gallery who provide training for staff and challenges for the children to take part in, allows the children to appreciate the links to science around their local area.  Moving forward, it would be the intention to strengthen these relationships and explore potential further opportunities for example with the MOSI.

The subject leader has provided teachers will a long-term plan that has clear ‘I can statements’ so that their lessons can be easily planned and assessed.  The subject leader monitors the books termly, making sure that the plan is being followed and also that teachers are supported and confident in teaching science. We ask teachers to display key vocabulary from Science on their working walls and to celebrate the achievements in our assemblies.

Implementation

Statutory requirements for the teaching and learning of Science are laid out in the ‘Understanding the World’ section of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2021) and in the National Curriculum in England: English Programmes of Study – Key Stages 1 and 2 (2014). Science is taught weekly, sometimes alongside Design & Technology, and implements a range of resources including those from STEM and Hamilton Trust. The principles and content of its requirements have been carefully placed at the heart of the schools’ programmes of study. We follow a curriculum overview based on a yearly cycle of topics. 

Through our planning we have involved problem solving opportunities that allow children to find out for themselves, children are encouraged to ask questions and given opportunities to use scientific skills to research and develop their own answers. 

The key features of learning in Science are that pupils are: 

• expected to build on their prior learning and understanding
• expected to ask their own questions about their learning to raise higher order thinking skills
• given opportunities to engage in independent learning and to find out for themselves
• provided with different approaches used to stimulate pupils and meet their different learning needs in line with our Dyslexia Friendly status
• provided with real life examples to give meaning and purpose to their learning
• expected to use subject-specific vocabulary correctly
• encouraged to challenge themselves in their learning
• provided with opportunities to practice the application of their knowledge and skills in all their learning
• inspired by Manchester’s rich heritage and place in the world which is used to open up the curriculum beyond the confines of the classroom 

We aim to provide a high-quality scientific education which aims to develop a range of investigation and problem-solving skills that are transferable to other curriculum areas, particularly Geography, Mathematics and English. The children learn through varied and first-hand experiences of the world around them. 

Children will: 

• Acquire and effectively use new vocabulary. 
• Build skills that enable them to collect, analyse and interpret a range of data gathered through practical investigation. 
• Interpret a range of sources of scientific information, including reports, theories, diagrams, images and investigations. 
• Develop research, interpretation and presentation skills which can then be disseminated using ICT, Art & Design and Mathematic mediums. 
• Develop a respect for the materials and equipment they handle with regard to their own, and other children’s safety. 

Impact

In our Science lessons, we seek to inspire in children a curiosity and fascination about the world which will remain with them for the rest of their lives; to promote children’s interest and develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment of scientific learning and discovery. Children have the understanding that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity.