Science

Science co-ordinator -

Curriculum Aims | Progression | Key stage 2 | Key stage 3

The study of science fires pupils’ curiosity about phenomena in the world around them and offers opportunities to find explanations. It engages learners at many levels, linking direct practical experience with scientific ideas. Experimentation and modelling are used to develop and evaluate explanations, encouraging critical and creative thought. Pupils learn how knowledge and understanding in science are rooted in evidence. They discover how scientific ideas contribute to technological change – affecting industry, business and medicine and improving quality of life. They trace the development of science worldwide and recognise its cultural significance. They learn to question and discuss issues that may affect their own lives, the directions of societies and the future of the world.

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Aims of the Science Curriculum
Science has a distinctive contribution to make to the aims of the national curriculum. The science programme of study provides opportunities to plan sequences of work, learning outcomes and teaching approaches that develop:

Successful learners:

The relevance of science at a global, national, local and personal level can inspire pupils to develop enquiring minds and become successful learners who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve.
The investigative and practical nature of the subject provides opportunities for pupils to explore and learn through various approaches. In addition, the science programme of study supports the development of essential:

• literacy skills, through discussion and the use of scientific vocabulary and terminology
• numeracy skills, through obtaining, recording and analysing data
• ICT skills, through using data logging and analysis, internet research, modelling and simulation software, and appropriate methods for communicating scientific information.

Science encourages pupils to think creatively and be resourceful, through processing information, reasoning, questioning and evaluating, in order to solve a range of scientific problems. The programme of study illustrates how scientists work both independently and by collaborating in multi-disciplinary groups to achieve success.

Confident individuals:

The science programme of study develops confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives. The investigative and practical nature of the subject provides opportunities to assess and manage risk. The study of science enables pupils to make informed decisions about many aspects of their lives. These include those related to healthy lifestyle choices, such as decisions about substance abuse and sexual health, and those related to sustainability, such as decisions about global climate change.

Responsible citizens:

The science programme of study illustrates the importance of using science responsibly in order for science and those using science to make a positive contribution to society. It provides opportunities for pupils to consider scientific and technological developments and the advantages and disadvantages that scientists, individuals and society need to think about before making decisions that will affect the future. It enables pupils to consider the ethical and moral implications of science and the importance of sustainable development. The study of science also takes into account different societal and cultural approaches, allowing pupils to appreciate its diverse global dimension and recognise the contributions made by men and women from all over the world to the development of the subject.

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Progression
We recognise that to make good progress pupils need continuity and opportunities for development across the key stages. To achieve this we aim to:

• build on and extend pupils' achievements and experiences from their first schools
• provide pupils with a clear sense of how teaching and learning is helping them develop their knowledge, skills and understanding, and of what they are aiming to achieve by the end of the key Stage
• prepare pupils for the demands of the subject at key stage 4.

We aim to achieve this through:

• close collaboration with our partners in First and High schools.
• a thorough well planned curriculum with the development of skills at its core.
• dynamic teaching and exciting stimuli
• clear curricular targets, shared with pupils and reviewed at regular intervals
• close monitoring of pupils progress
• Supporting pupils in setting personal targets and encouraging them to aim high.

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