Intent 

At St Alban’s we aim to give children a strong conceptual understanding of the world around them, whilst acquiring specific skills and knowledge to encourage them to think scientifically. Scientific enquiry skills are embedded across each topic within the content of biology, chemistry and physics, focusing on key features, so that pupils learn a variety of approaches in order to answer relevant questions. Topics are revisited and developed throughout child’s time at St Albans to aid progression and develop a secure understanding. We aim to encourage children to develop a love and curiosity for Science so that they are able to understand the uses and implication of science, today and for the future.

Implementation  

Based on the Rising Stars Science scheme, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. Topics are revisited and developed in depth throughout children’s time at St Alban's. Science is taught weekly, focusing on knowledge and skills stated in the National Curriculum. All children are encouraged to develop and use a range of skills, including observations, planning, data analysis and investigations, as well as being encouraged to think critically and question the world around them. Our Science curriculum provides children with high quality learning opportunities, not just inside the classroom, but also through the use of outdoor learning, school trips and a focused Science week.

Impact

As a result of a rich and progression curriculum, children acquire a variety of scientific skills and knowledge based upon scientific enquiry. The impact and measure of this, is to ensure children not only acquire the age-appropriate knowledge, but also to develop skills which equip them to progress within their everyday lives.  Specialist scientific vocabulary is taught and build up which enables pupils to articulate their understanding of taught concepts. The successful approach at St Alban’s results in a fun, engaging high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world through first hand experiences.