Science
The subject lead for Science is Mrs Gorczyca
What is Science?
Science is a body of knowledge which is built up through experimental testing of ideas and which is organised in a way that makes it easy to use. Science is also a methodology, a practical way of finding reliable answers to questions we may ask about the world around us.
Science Intent
At St George’s we encourage children to be inquisitive and investigative. Our key aim for science is that when children leave our school in year six, they have the skills and knowledge available to challenge ideas, be critical thinkers and become the next generation of innovators. The science curriculum fosters a healthy curiosity in children about the universe around them. We believe that science encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes Throughout the programmes of study, as outlined in the 2014 National Curriculum, the children will acquire and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit and across each year groups, as well as the application of scientific skills. Working Scientifically skills are built-on and developed throughout children’s time at the school following our detailed progression so that they can apply their knowledge of science when using equipment, conducting experiments, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently and continue to ask questions and be curious their surroundings.
Science Implementation
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. Science will be taught in planned units which can be taught weekly or in a block depending on what is most appropriate for the topic. Planning is informed by and aligned with the national curriculum. We follow a learning challenge curriculum at St George’s and where possible in science, cross-curricular connections are planned for with strong links to other areas of our curriculum. Each unit is linked clearly to skills and vocabulary to ensure progression across topics throughout each year and across the school. Working Scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed through the children’s time at St George’s. The children will have access to key language and meanings in order to understand and readily apply to their written, mathematical and verbal communication of their skills. A new unit begins with children conveying what they already know as well as what they would like to find out. Through our planning, we involve problem solving opportunities where children are encouraged to find things out for themselves. Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given the change to use their scientific skills and research to discover new answers. The local area is also fully utilised to achieve the desired outcomes along with educational visits further afield and visitors to school. Outcomes of work are regularly monitored to ensure that they reflect a sound understanding of the key identified knowledge. The promotion and use of an accurate and rich vocabulary throughout school is planned in science. Each year we will celebrate National Science Week, providing opportunities to study a current world issue.
Due to the current class structure the Year 2 children in the mixed Year 2/3 class join with Year 1 for their Science curriculum. As these children were part of a two-year cycle, it will ensure all children are given the opportunity to meet the key stage one objectives before the end of academic year.
Science at St George's 2023-24
| Robin |
Materials |
Light and dark |
Floating and sinking |
Health and Nutrition Science Week |
Floating and sinking |
Dissolving |
| Owl Year 1 Nightingale Year 2 |
Seasonal changes |
Materials |
Seasonal changes |
Science Week |
Plants |
Seasonal changes |
| Nightingale Year 3 |
Animals including Humans Why do animals have skeletons? What is a healthy diet and why is it important? |
Rocks What are rocks and soils like? |
Plants Why do plants have flowers? |
Science Week |
Forces and Magnets How can we move magnets? |
Light What is a shadow? |
| Wren |
States of Matter Where do ice cubes go when they disappear? Why does it rain and hail? |
Animals including Humans What do our bodies do with the food we eat? |
Sound How can we make different sounds? |
Science Week |
Electricity What can we do with electricity? |
Living Things and Their Habitats Are living things in danger? |
| Osprey |
Forces How and why do objects move? |
Earth and Space Sun, Earth and Moon: What is moving and how do we know? |
Materials How can we separate a mixture of water, iron filings, salt and sand? |
Materials How can we change materials reversibly and irreversibly? Science Week |
Living Things and Their Habitats Do all animals and plants start life as an egg?
|
Animals including Humans How different will you be when you're as old as your grandparents? |
| Kestrel |
Living Things and Their Habitats In what ways can we sort living things? |
Electricity Can we vary the effects of electricity? |
Light Why does my shadow change length over the course of a day? |
Animals including Humans In what ways can we sort living things? Science Week |
Animals including Humans In what ways can we sort living things? |
Evolution and inheritance What is evolution, how does it happen and how do scientists know? |
Click here to see the knowledge and skills progression of the Science Curriculum
Click here to see the Science curriculum content for 2022 - 23
Click here to see the Science school policy
Click here to read the Science Programmes of Study: Key Stage 1 and 2 National Curriculum in England
Science Week 2023
This year's theme was 'connections'. We started the week by smashing stereotypes and dressing up as scientists. Throughout the week the children took part in live lessons with the NFU. We found out how pigs are connected to jumbo jets and how tractors are connected to space! There were lots of exciting experiments carried out in classes. Robin Class learned about the journey food takes from the ground to our plates. Swan Class learned how to take finger prints and to spot the different patterns. Wren class have been testing different soap which has resulted in mouldy bread dotted around school and Osprey class had a crime to solve. We ended the week with Key Stage 2 taking part in PrimeVR where they swam under water in a virtual world and came up close with a variety of sea creatures. A fun-filled week was had by all.
Science in the news!
Take a look at the lovely article wrote about us by Adam at the Tameside Reporter
