Science Curriculum

“The most important thing is to never stop questioning.”   Einstein

Science Curriculum Intent 

At St Dunstan’s, we aim to provide a high quality science education that provides children with the foundations they need to recognise the importance of science in every aspect of daily life. We want our children to appreciate how science has changed the lives of human beings and know that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity. Therefore, all pupils will be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science and will understand the differences between biology, chemistry and physics.

We aim to ensure that our pupils develop an excellent knowledge of the ‘everyday’ aspects of science - the animals and birds of our region, to recognise and name common trees and plants and to experience the variety of human and physical environments available to them in our country.

Curriculum Implementation 

Using the National Curriculum as a basis we have designed a bespoke science curriculum. The acquisition of key scientific knowledge is an integral part of our science lessons.

Throughout the Science curriculum, the children will acquire and develop the key knowledge, skills and vocabulary that has been identified within each unit and across each year group. The key knowledge identified by each year group is informed by the National Curriculum and builds towards identified phase ‘end points’ in accordance with National Curriculum  expectations. Through the organisation of the units, there is also cohesion between key phases, allowing the children to develop and build on their previous knowledge and apply it further. 

The progression of skills for working scientifically are developed through the year groups and scientific enquiry skills are of key importance within lessons. The progression of these skills is set out in the Science Progression Map. Each lesson has a clear focus. Scientific knowledge and enquiry skills are developed with increasing depth and challenge as children move through the year groups. They complete investigations and hands-on activities while gaining the scientific knowledge for each unit.

Across the year, pupils have opportunities to develop age - appropriate skills in the following areas:

• Asking questions
• Observing and measuring
• Planning and setting up different types of enquiry
• Identifying and classifying
• Performing tests
• Gathering and recording data
• Reporting, presenting and communicating data/findings
• Using equipment

Through enrichment days, such as ‘science week’, we promote the profile of Science and allow time for the children to freely explore scientific topics.

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