Science

Our Aim

Our vision is to ensure that all of our pupils reach their full potential and strive to achieve more than they ever thought possible.  We want our pupils to ask questions about the world around them; to be inquisitive and try to solve problems independently.

All pupils follow the National Curriculum for science at all key stages.  This aims to ensure that they develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.  They will develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them.

Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity; all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science.  Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge, skills and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural events. 

Our intent is that our curriculum:

·       inspires a love of learning and curiosity about the world;

·       develops the practical knowledge and skills to use scientific equipment safely;

·       informs knowledge of the key workings of the human body so that educated opinions and decisions can be made about health, products and stories in the media.

We do this through regular review and evaluation of our own methods and materials, as well as keeping up to date with the latest SEND philosophies and teaching strategies. Lessons are differentiated to suit each pupil’s ability and learning style and assessment for learning is embedded in our schemes of work and teaching. We use personalised SEND strategies, as tailored learning is at the core of everything we do.  We want pupils that have disengaged from learning to re-engage in their learning allowing them to progress both emotionally and academically. 

The development of literacy is a key focus and we want to ensure all pupils leave with a minimum of functional level literacy. This is done by providing targeted vocabulary instruction and developing pupils’ ability to read complex academic texts and help by breaking down more difficult writing tasks.  We combine writing with reading and where possible give opportunities of structured talk. We tailor our questioning so that it aids pupil progress too.

Every opportunity is given to secure progress from a pupil’s individual starting point in a secure, positive and enjoyable environment.

Pupils develop:

·       analytical skills to scrutinise data in any format, to draw out meaning and draw conclusions. 

·       skills to combine English and maths skills, in context, to develop their application skills. 

We also ensure that there is a focus within lessons on emotional development with particular attention to: self-regulation, managing and sustaining relationships, building self-esteem, resilience and managing communications.

To provide a more ‘hands on’ experience to scientific elements, we also deliver forest science; this allows pupils to explore practical skills and to learn about the environment. All key stage 3 pupils are given the opportunity to develop their understanding of the natural world and make ‘real life’ links between what they have learnt in the classroom and the world around them.

Wherever possible, we aim to increase the cultural capital of our pupils by exposing them to events which will impact them directly and the wider world. The purpose of this is to help the future generation look after themselves and the planet.