Science
Science Lead: Emma Hope
Science teaching at St Augustine’s Catholic Primary
Our intent in the teaching of Science is to give every child a high-quality, balanced and enjoyable science education. We aim to establish and extend scientific knowledge and to support children in developing excellent working scientifically skills. We want pupils to develop a life-long love of Science and inspire them to choose science as a career.
Implementation
We do this by planning and delivering a Science curriculum that is designed to foster and develop pupils’ curiosity. We follow the National Curriculum and use the Primary Scheme of Work (formerly the Kent Scheme) as a guide to support teachers with their planning and assessment. We provide opportunities to carry out investigations and experiments using scientific ideas that show us how the world works and we help children to make connections between the investigations they carry out and the principles that underpin them.
We encourage children to ask questions and plan how to answer them through investigative and experimental approaches, while drawing on knowledge and skills learnt in other curriculum areas. We develop pupils’ basic practical skills and their ability to make accurate and appropriate measurements, extending the learning environment for our pupils to outside areas at school and in the locality.
Our teaching prepares children for life in an increasingly scientific and technological world.
Impact
Our children and teachers enjoy the learning process and develop skills and knowledge that lead to greater understanding of the world. Outcomes for all year groups show consistent good teaching and learning evidenced through books, observations, staff/pupil voice and end of year data. Our pupils are very well prepared for the next stage of their school journey and some children will be motivated to pursue a career in Science.
March 2025
Science Curriculum 2025-2026
Science Curriculum for 2024-2025
This week, Year 5/6 became budding scientists as we delved into the fascinating world of flowering plants! The children explored the intricate anatomy of flowers, identifying key reproductive parts such as the stamen (male) and the carpel (female). They learned how the sticky stigma catches pollen and how the ovary protects developing seeds. It has been wonderful to see their curiosity grow as they connect these parts to the wider life cycle of plants.
Year One embraced the chilly weather this week with a seasonal‐changes walk around the school grounds. The children were excited to spot the first signs of winter, from frosty grass to patches of snow and glistening ice. They observed how the world looks and feels different at this time of year, noticing bare branches, crunchy pathways, and their own breath in the cold air.
Seasonal changes from September to January
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
Y1 Working scientifically to study plants
British Science Week 2024
British Science Week 2024: designing a time capsule for burial
Dissecting a flower
What is an invertebrate?
RSPB bird watch
Testing materials
The Great Science Draw: a chance for children and families to share what they know about plants.
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.
St Augustine's Science Vision and Principles
