St Amand's Catholic Primary School

Science at St.Amand's

Science enables us to plummet the mysteries of the mind of the Creator of the universe and inform our world view through a deeper understanding of the inter-connectedness of all levels of creation. Scientific exploration and discovery help students to recognise their potential and responsibility through the development of humility and the dependence on their ability to discern how to make the right choices. Science encourages students to respond to the big questions of the purpose and meaning of life as it works in collaboration with other disciples within our curriculum.  

We hope that pupils foster their natural curiosity for Science through an exciting, inclusive and inspiring curriculum..  Through purposeful enquiry and a rich, stimulating environment, pupils are given opportunities to explore and question in order to develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.

How is Science delivered (Implementation)

• Science is taught from EYFS to Year 6 and is a core subject that is taught for approximately one afternoon every week.  The curriculum is delivered in small steps within a topic and working scientifically skills are revisited along with new knowledge.  There is a wide coverage of both knowledge in the domains of physics, biology, and chemistry as well a variety of skills.
• Planning is from a two-year cycle where science units from the relevant key stages are taught in terms that make links, if possible, with class topics. There is a clear progression of working scientifically skills that each teacher follows. 
• All science lessons have the opportunity for children to be challenged in their investigations. Recording is differentiated as appropriate to the child.
• Where possible, links are made with science and other topics i.e. DT, history, geography and Computing. E.g. the children may explore materials that insulate and stop ice from melting whilst also looking at the use of ice houses by the rich in Victorian times.
• First hand experiences are crucial to the science lesson with the emphasis of learning through doing.
• Work is recorded from Years 1-6 in science books and in EYFS through their Learning Journals. A variety of work will be seen from short explanations, photos, tables and labelled diagrams.
• Children are taught a wide range of working scientifically skills including asking questions; making observations and taking measurements; engaging in practical enquiry; recording and presenting evidence; answering questions and conclusions and raising further questions.
• Through the course of the year the children are introduced to a range of scientists from past and present and from different ethnicities and genders.
• A whole school science week is planned to coincide with National Science Week in March.

What difference is the Science Curriculum making? (Impact)

• Confidence in Science will enable children to become competent and independent in key life skills, including questioning, predicting, recording and evaluation.
• From their different starting points, all children will make at least good progress and achieve their potential academically, emotionally, creatively, socially and physically. Knowledge, understanding and working scientifically skills will be secured and embedded so that children attain highly.
• Pupils will have good communication skills and will listen respectfully and with tolerance to the views of others using scientific evidence to support or refute ideas or arguments.
• Pupils will take pride in all that they do, always striving to do their best.
• Pupils will be able to explore their own investigations, respectfully sharing their own thoughts and opinions whilst understanding that they may differ from others.
• Pupils will demonstrate emotional resilience and the ability to persevere when they encounter challenge.
• Pupils will develop a sense of self-awareness and become confident in their own abilities.
• The plans to teach Science, ensure that children are accessing work at age related expectations, with regular opportunities to be challenged through higher-level questioning.
• Pupils will competently use and know the meaning of agreed vocabulary correctly when talking and writing about science.
• Children are assessed according to age related expectations of working scientifically in line with curriculum requirements. This is done in line with the school assessment calendar.  This information is monitored by the subject leader.

The Human Heart Investigation

Red Kites and Squirrels classes had a visit from Dr. Price. Children were 'hands on' scientists and were able to dissect a heart and see the different parts that work together to help blood flow through the body. The children were able to feel the parts for themselves before acting out how the blood flows.

Forensic Scientist Visit

Another exciting Science opportunity at St. Amand's when Mr Jensen, a forensic scientist, who works for Thames Valley Police visited to tell us all about his job and how he uses science to help solve crimes. There was a cake thief on the loose in school and all the children had to help Mr Jensen solve the mystery and uncover the thief by finding evidence and using forensics to solve the crime! 

British Science Week 11th -20th March 2022

What an amazing science week we have had! The week started with a visit from Ms. Vollmar a biochemist, structural biologist and software developer. She taught us that anyone can be a scientist and talked about her job at Diamond Light Source in Harwell. She told us how, by looking inside living things, we can understand how they work and how research at Diamond Light Source has helped to contribute to developments of vaccinations for COVID 19.  The children were amazed to think that this all went on just around the corner from their school. The children then got stuck in with a series of activities making mini molecules, investigating how magnets work and looking at light diffraction.

We were then treated to an' Operation Ouch' experience by Mrs Kerner-Bignell and Mr Bignell, who is a Consultant Surgeon at the John Radcliffe hospital: Mrs Kerner- Bignell a radiographer. Through a series of hands on activities  the children were able to learn about the work of a surgeon. Some were happier than others to get stuck into the slightly gory task of finding out what teddy had swallowed by feeling around in his intestines. The children were also give the opportunity to use equipment used in a theatre by surgeons when performing keyhole surgery. They quickly realised just how fiddly this is and how important fine motor skills are for surgeons.

During the week all the children were given the opportunity to work scientifically by observing, investigating, recording and finding out answers to lots of different science questions.

The week ended with a fabulous celebration of science where the children came to school dressed as a scientist or science innovation with some inventive and fun costumes..