Science

Curriculum Intent

We believe that all students deserve the opportunity to develop an understanding of Science through a broad and ambitious Science curriculum. Our curriculum serves to ignite curiosity in students and prepare them for their next stages of future learning or employment. Throughout our curriculum students have the opportunity to:

  • Sequentially develop their practical skills developing complexity over time.
  • Explain key scientific concepts clearly and precisely.
  • Understand the context of framing scientific concepts into models.
  • Understand the nature, process and methods of modern Science.
  • Read and interpret scientifically contextualised documents, understanding technical terminology.
  • Identify connections between different subject areas.
  • Gaining awareness of the big ideas which underpin all scientific knowledge and understanding.
  • Develop the ability to critically think and analyse situations and determine their viability.
  • Use problem solving skills and numeracy within scientific concepts.
  • Understand the role Science will play in future jobs and become scientifically literate members of the 21st Century.

 

Principles of Education

Our educational principles are driven by:

  • A rigorous, coherent and systematic approach to the teaching of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
  • A spiral based curriculum linked through central theme of scientific big ideas.
  • A range of strategies such as the knowledge curriculum approach to securely deepen knowledge and commit to long term memory.
  • The regular use of live modelling and working scientifically to demonstrate processes, standards and expectations.
  • Balance the use of theoretical content with the use of effective practicals to explore concepts.
  • A need to ‘normalise errors’ so that teachers can pre-empt errors as part of their planning to address gaps swiftly, and students see any errors as an opportunity to develop in their understanding.
  • Allowing students the opportunities to discuss and articulate views of science in real-life contexts.

 

Enrichment

We will enrich our curriculum by:

  • Establishing cross-curricular links.
  • Providing regular on and off-site subject or topic related experiences.
  • Offer additional learning opportunities outside of the classroom through enrichment clubs.
  • Offering opportunities for children to learn outdoors where appropriate.
  • Holding school-wide competitions to celebrate best work and extraordinary effort.
  • Developing partnerships with external providers that extend children’s opportunities for learning.

 

Other general principles

Our curriculum will enable students to:

  • Develop a deep and rich subject knowledge.
  • Know what knowledge they have secured and ways in which they can improve.
  • Explore the breadth and depth of the National Curriculum.
  • Support the continued learning in Science from Key Stage 2.
  • Progress into Key Stage 5 studying further Sciences.
  • To become scientifically literate members of 21st Century society with the ability to critically think and analyse situations to determine their viability.
  • Build on their understanding of the importance of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and tolerance and respect.
  • Improve their spiritual, social, moral and cultural understanding.

 

Please click on the box below to download a copy of the curriculum maps for Science