SCIENCE

Science policy. Reviewed January 2020

Science

At St. Mary's, we intend to:

Enable pupils to make decisions about the uses and values of scientific work and achievements
Enable pupils to develop an understanding and respect for the natural world
Enable pupils to question, hypothesize, test and discover for themselves about our world.
Support children to develop the skills required to investigate the world around them
Support children to become effective communicators of scientific facts and data through mathematics, literacy and IT.
Encourage children to develop a responsible and considerate attitude towards their work, with an awareness of the safety to themselves and others.

How we teach and plan Science:

We teach Science in a range of ways; discrete sessions, cross-curricular sessions, project based learning.
Teachers plan each Science topic using a medium term planning format, which includes and focuses on key Scientific vocabulary that is taught during the topic.
Teachers assess pupils at the start of a topic (cold task) during sessions to identify those who are working towards, meeting or exceeding expectations and end of a topic (hot task)
Teachers ensure they follow the National Curriculum to ensure progression of working scientifically skills and objective coverage is build upon year after year.
Teachers ensure they embed working scientifically skills into lessons and wherever possible, set up investigations for children to shape their own learning
Teachers ensure new vocabulary related to each topic is displayed in the classroom, understood through use of glossary work at the start of a unit and that spelling lists sometimes incorporate key Scientific vocabulary
Where appropriate, teachers plan educational visits that link to Science.
Science focus days each year during British Science week help to inspire children and awaken curiosity and excitement

How do we measure the impact of our Science teaching and learning?

Teachers track progress using objective trackers for both working scientifically and topic objectives.
Children are assessed as 'working towards age related expectations', 'working at age related expectations' and 'working above age related expectations'
Progression in assessment is ensured by trackers being passed up through each year group
Cold and hot tasks completed for each topic

We hope that that impact is that:

Children enjoy Science learning
Children ask questions to broaden their understanding of concepts and processes
Children develop a wide and rich vocabulary related to Science
Children learn through first hand experiences
Through a fun and engaging approach to teaching, children gain a foundation to understanding the world around them
Children are inspired to work in a role that incorporates Science in the future

If you have any questions about Science, please come and see me.

Mrs Jones (Science Co-ordinator and Year 3 Teacher)