Curriculum Statement: Science
‘Excellence, Truth and Grace’
‘Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.’
Philippians 4: 8-9
Curriculum Intent
Science at Middleton Parish Church School is about enabling children to make sense of the world in which we live. Our intention is to develop our children's curiosity, scientific thinking and scientific practices by allowing them to investigate and study the environment and the world around them. At the heart of our progressive science curriculum is scientific investigation. Wherever possible we intend to deliver lessons where children learn through varied systematic investigations, leading to them being equipped for life to ask and answer scientific questions about the world around them. We intend for children to apply their knowledge of science when using equipment, conducting experiments and investigation, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently, being familiar with scientific terminology and, most importantly, to continue to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings. Science at Middleton Parish Church School aims to develop a fun, practical and engaging high-quality curriculum that inspires the next generation to succeed and excel in science.
Middleton Parish Church School's children will be:
- Ready to Learn: Children will develop a positive attitude, a sense of awe and wonder, and a natural curiosity towards science. They will have prior knowledge and understanding of the world around them, and be able to apply this to scientific learning ready to build upon and progress throughout the curriculum.
- Respectful: Children will be aware of, and respectful towards, others' views in regards to science. They will understand how to use equipment and to carry out investigations in a safe and controlled manner and conduct fair tests. They will work in collaboration with others, developing their social skills. They will begin to understand the role of science in society.
- Reflective: Children will be able to make connections between what they have learning and how this links to modern society. They will begin to question how this may impact their own lives in the future. Children will be able to reflect upon and evaluate how investigations have been carried out, and if they would make any changes in the future if they were to do it again.
- Aspirational: Children will be aware of future career opportunities relating to science in modern society. They will understand the need for science in the contemporary world and understand how science impacts their lives. They will discover the work of different scientists, past and present, to inspire them.
Curriculum Implementation
At Middleton Parish Church School, following the National Curriculum for science, the progression of skills for working scientifically are developed through the year groups with scientific enquiry skills being of key importance within lessons. Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards in science. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science ensures consistency across year groups with opportunities for problem solving and real life scenarios that enable children to find out for themselves. Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom. Working Scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the children's school career, and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching.
Middleton Parish Church School's children will be:
- Ready to Learn: Children are encouraged to be curious about the world and make links between new learning to real-world experiences and issues, and other aspects of the curriculum. All children are able to access similar tasks, and participate in a variety of learning experiences which make use of the school environment and scientific equipment.
- Respectful: Pupils are encouraged to make links with the local and wider world, and current issues, within science lessons. Children work both independently and collaboratively, using a variety of equipment safely and respectfully.
- Reflective: Children will build on their personal, social and emotional development throughout their science lessons, reflecting upon their personal strengths and areas of weakness to ensure future success. Children reflect on one another's achievements and give one another feedback on their strengths and areas of development.
- Aspirational: Children will have a strong understanding of the impact of science in the wider world, and current issues within this relating to science. Children will be inspired by their knowledge of scientific careers and be encouraged to have high expectations for themselves. They will develop a secure knowledge and understanding of the world through their scientific experiences.
Curriculum Impact
The successful approach to the teaching of science at Middleton Parish Church School in a fun, engaging, high quality science education, that provides children with the foundations for understanding and exploring the world that they can take with them once they complete their primary education.
- Ready to Learn: Pupils will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to continue and extend their lifelong learning of science as they transition into secondary school and into the wider world. They will be able to use a range of equipment safely and accurately. Pupils will be positive about science and secure in their understanding of scientific concepts.
- Respectful: Our children demonstrate respectful and positive behaviours towards science and within science lessons. They respect one another's ideas and predictions; they handle scientific equipment with care and respect.
- Reflective: Pupils at Middleton Parish are able to follow their own scientific lines of enquiry; asking relevant questions and exploring their curiosity. They reflect on their prior knowledge and use this as the foundation for new knowledge and skills. Pupils are able to conduct investigations, making hypothesis and predictions based on their current understanding.
- Aspirational: Pupils are motivated to continue their learning of Science and explore their ideas. They are determined to succeed and show engagement in all scientific activities. Children demonstrate an awareness that science is an essential part of wider life, underpinning a variety of occupations and current issues.
