At St Helen’s we intend to develop the children’s sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena.  Through a range of learning activities, children are encouraged to understand how science seeks to explain the material world, to make predictions and to analyse results using scientific terminology.

Science education at St. Helen’s starts with knowledge, providing children with the foundations for understanding the world around them.  They increase their knowledge and conceptual understanding through working scientifically in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  In KS1, children are supported to carry out investigations and in KS2, children use a range of scientific enquiry to plan investigations, seeking answers to questions by collecting, analysing and presenting data.

In order to implement this, we plan our lessons carefully, making sure that the sequence of learning allows children to learn more and remember more. We build on children’s starting points and regularly measure their progress of knowledge, ensuring that concepts are developed over time.  Children regularly participate in practical work that has a clear purpose, allowing them to develop their knowledge and make their own conclusions from their enquiries. We encourage children to ask their own questions and choose their own methods of enquiry to develop their sense of curiosity. Science enrichment events, such as Science Week, also foster the children’s excitement and curiosity about the world around them.   

The impact of this will be measured by the children making the progress that they are capable of. Children will be able to talk confidently about their learning experiences and the knowledge and understanding they have developed through carrying out a range of enquiries.  Children will identify areas of Science that they are curious about and want to find out more about.  They will be able to ask their own scientific questions and discuss which type of enquiry would be the most suitable to use.  Discussions with pupils will demonstrate their excitement and enjoyment in Science. 

Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science.
(National Curriculum 2014)