St John
and St
Francis Church School 
Science
Science Lead – Mrs Emily Stocks
Rationale:
At St John and St Francis, we want our children to develop a love of science and an enthusiasm for finding out about the world. We want children to leave our school, not only with a secure base of scientific knowledge, but also being inspired to be the scientists of the future.
Our science curriculum aims to prepare children for their experiences of the wider world. Therefore, we strive to ensure the lessons we deliver, cover the three aims of the science national curriculum so that pupils understand the science and have the skills to engage with the knowledge and recognise where it fits in the wider world. We believe in the curious child and encourage our children to ponder, ask questions and find out answers to big questions for themselves, reflecting on that which they have discovered. The knowledge they acquire is deepened through the use of essential scientific enquiry skills and working scientifically is a core feature of our science curriculum.
Children tackle problems, forming questions, generating and testing ideas and designs and deciding how to seek solutions. They gather and make sense of evidence, test out hypotheses and evaluate processes and outcomes. They learn the possibilities of science, design and technology, inspiring them to become the scientists, engineers, designers and innovators of the future and how to be informed citizens responsive to the needs of others and the world in which they live.
Children at St John and St Francis will also experience a wide range of enrichment opportunities including: trips, visitors and experiences related to science, as well as using our outside areas (Forest school and pond) as an extension of the classroom, as opportunities for bringing Science to life. In addition to this, we have a themed Science week every year – which allows the children to work collaboratively within all year groups to explore and investigate in special challenges and specific areas. Also, throughout the Spring and Summer terms we provide and afterschool Engineering and Science clubs to further enhance and enrich the Science opportunities for the children at our school.
Assessment:
In Science, we assess using the key skills and knowledge that have been outlined in each unit of learning through the knowledge organiser. This can be in the form of a unit quiz, starter questions at the beginning of each lesson, through oracy, including pupil conferencing or 4-from before questions. This ensures that any gaps are identified and revisited accordingly. Teachers record unit assessments and any assessment for learning, including working scientifically on our school system (Scholarpack) in order to inform future teaching and learning.