Science is a core subject in the national curriculum and an important part of our learning at St Peter’s. Science stimulates and excites pupils’ curiosity about phenomena and events in the world around them. It also satisfies this curiosity with knowledge. As well as deepening their knowledge of different areas of science, children also learn how to work scientifically for example, designing fair tests, collecting data and presenting their results as graphs and tables.
Aims of Science:
Scientific studies should help pupils:
· To maintain and/or stimulate pupil curiosity, interest and enjoyment in science to encourage future study.
· To enable pupils to be familiar with a body of scientific knowledge, principles and vocabulary.
· To enable pupils to see science in the context of a wider body of knowledge and skills.
· To enable pupils to understand and use scientific methods, safely by incorporating risk assessment as normal practice.
· To give children the experience to acquire practical skills e.g. using a Thermometer.
· To provide experience of the scientific process skills of ‘Working Scientifically, helping children to develop and apply these progressively in meaningful contexts.
· To help children acquire a progressive understanding of scientific knowledge.
· To prepare children for life in an increasingly scientific and technological world so that they can make informed decisions and choices in future life.
Curriculum Planning and Organisation
The Science Long Term plan has been organised into different units, which have been designed to cover the knowledge, skills and understanding of Science, whilst at the same time, using links to other areas of the curriculum where appropriate. This plan is continuously evaluated to meet the needs of the children in our School.
Topics covered in science include plants, animals (including humans), materials, light, forces and magnets, sound, electricity, Earth and space and evolution. Many topics are revisited throughout a child’s time in and St Peter’s and each time they study a topic they are deepening their knowledge.
Timing and Time Allocation
Teachers are expected to teach Science for between 1 to 1 and a half hour each week, depending on the degree of integration with other subjects. On particular occasions it will be desirable to block a unit of science or necessary to deliver a Science day.
At home you can help develop your child’s scientific thinking by encouraging them to ask questions about the world around them. Encourage them to make predictions about how things will behave and to try to explain what they see around them. At home, experiments as simple as comparing a cut apple left in the air with a cut apple covered in lemon juice can really help your child to develop these skills.