Science Lead: Emma Hope

Science teaching at St Augustine’s Catholic Primary 

At St Augustine’s, our aim in the teaching of Science is to inspire everyone in our school community to learn, to gain knowledge and understanding with skills that enrich their life, now and in the future. We believe that all of us learn best when we recall, relate to or take part in purposeful, interesting and exciting experiences which we can then use as a basis for exploring learning. We want our children to enjoy learning; to be confident and independent; to build resilience and persistence; to be able to transfer skills from Science into other areas of learning; to work both as part of a team and as an individual; to articulate and share ideas, thoughts and feelings which enable excellent well-being and good mental and physical health; to be creative in whatever way they can, in and out of the classroom; and to be intellectually challenged and fulfilled.

Intent

• Scientific teaching imparts skills and knowledge for all to attain at least expected each year
• Planning enables clear links to embed the learning
• Feedback is undertaken whenever possible with the children present and assessment is proportionate

Implementation

We do this by planning and delivering a Science curriculum that is designed to:

• foster and develop pupils’ curiosity
• prepare the children for life in an increasingly scientific and technological world
• provide opportunities to carry out investigations and experiments using scientific principles that show us how the world works
• help children to make connections between the investigations they carry out and the scientific principles that underpin them
• encourage children to ask questions and plan how to answer them through investigative and experimental approaches
• draw on knowledge and skills learnt in other curriculum areas
• develop pupils’ basic practical skills and their ability to make accurate and appropriate measurements
• promote a ‘healthy lifestyle’ in our pupils
• extend the learning environment for our pupils via environmental areas and the locality
• enable teachers to assess progress and attainment during and at the end of each unit

Staff are supported through:

• Targeted CPD
• Intra and inter-school moderations
• Monitoring of teaching and learning that informs next steps

It is an expectation that all children have opportunities to access scientific expertise through:

• School trips
• Travelling road shows
• Visiting speakers

Marking and assessment are designed to be purposeful, interactive and adaptable. This offers opportunities for feedback and improvement which is immediate and ensures progress for every child regardless of their starting point.

Impact

• Children and teachers will enjoy the learning process and develop skills and knowledge which lead to greater understanding of the world
• Outcomes for all year groups will show consistent good teaching and learning, evidenced through books, pupil voice and end of year data
• Pupils will be very well prepared for the next stage of their school journey
• Some children will be inspired to consider a career in Science

February 2024

Stargazing in Y5/6 

Thank you to Tom Holloway of the Primary Science Teaching Trust for a fabulous Y5/6 star gazing evening.

The children haven’t stopped talking about what they’ve learned, even remembering the names of some of the stars.

Microscopes from the Royal Microscopical Society

Investigating invertebrates in Y1

We have been awarded the prestigious Primary Science Quality Mark, celebrating our commitment to excellent science teaching and learning.

The PSQM is a one-year school improvement programme for primary science, which provides professional development to enable confident, knowledgeable, reflective leadership. This results in an improvement in the way in which science is planned and taught across the whole school.