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Science at St Bernadette

Science in our school is about developing children’s ideas and ways of working that enable them to make sense of the world in which they live through investigation and using and applying process skills.  Our creative curriculum approach to science teaching and learning, puts all the strands (Biology, Physics and Chemistry) in 'real life' contexts.  This makes science relevant to the children so that they can apply their new knowledge to previous real life experiences and so deepen understanding.

A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils are taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts our pupils are encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. Pupils are encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.  While it is important that pupils make progress. It is also vitally important that they develop secure understanding of each key block of knowledge and concepts in order to progress to the next stage.

Through science in our school we aim to:

  • Encourage the development of positive attitudes to science.
  • Deliver the National Curriculum Science orders in ways that are imaginative, purposeful, well controlled and enjoyable.
  • Help in developing and extending the children’s scientific concept of their world and encouraging them to ask deeper questions about the world around them
  • Deliver clear and accurate teacher explanations and skilful questioning. Provide guidance but at the same time allow children the freedom to explore as independently as possible.
  • Make strong, purposeful links between science and other subjects. Using ICT in a meaningful way to extend their learning (Data Loggers, video, photography, microscopes and ipads).
  • Develop the use of scientific language, recording and techniques.
  • Enable children to become effective communicators of scientific ideas, facts and data whilst becoming confident and competent at analysing the data they collect. In KS1 and KS2 a minimum of 50% of Science lessons include practical Scientific Investigation. In the Early Years children are taught the required science elements of the foundation stage document through active learning opportunities in cross curricular themes.
  • Develop the following skills of investigation – observation, measuring, predicting, hypothesising, experimenting, communicating and interpreting.