The Science curriculum at St Mary’s will enable children to become enquiry-based learners, working scientifically through observing over time, classifying, grouping and sorting, researching using secondary sources, pattern seeking and comparative and fair testing. Children will acquire specific skills and knowledge to help them to think scientifically and gain an understanding of scientific processes that are relevant today and for the future. Through high quality teaching and learning, children can link ideas with enhanced practical experiences. We currently hold the Primary Science Quality Mark which acknowledges and ‘celebrates a commitment to excellence to primary science’.

At St Mary’s Primary our science curriculum enables pupils to:

• acquire, retain and retrieve key scientific knowledge and skills through specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics

• work scientifically

• be curious and fascinated about natural phenomena

• understand the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science

• recognise how science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity

• develop an understanding of how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave and analyse causes

• recognise the influence of technological and medical advances have impacted on their lives and those of others

• recognise the significance of technological and engineering advances on settlement, entertainment and mobility.

• acknowledge the choices advances in science provide to us to maintain our own health, wellbeing and life chances and opportunities.

• celebrate significant scientists now and in history.

• think and act as a scientist. This requires immersion in a line of enquiry, use of quality resources including texts

The National Curriculum provides the knowledge and skill development for the science curriculum being taught throughout the school, which is now linked, where possible to the theme topics to provide a creative scheme of work, which reflects a balanced programme of study.

The science content, for every year group, from Reception to Year 6, is carefully mapped out so that teachers know and understand what to teach and when to teach it. All sequences of learning are planned so that there is cohesion and key knowledge, and skills are protected. Science is taught within planned blocks for continuity and depth.