Head of Department: Mr D Woods

Curriculum Intent

We encourage students to be inquisitive throughout their time at the school. The science curriculum encourages a healthy curiosity in students about the Universe and promotes respect for the living and non-living. Science encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes. Throughout the programmes of study, students will acquire and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit and across each year group, as well as the application of scientific skills. We ensure that the Working Scientifically skills are built-in and developed throughout a student’s time at the school 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 about their surroundings.

Intent

• Students develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Even for those students who do not go on to pursue a career in science, it is essential that they gain an understanding of how science can influence their lives.
• Students develop an understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them. This includes medical, technological, environmental and industrial problems that need to be solved over the next century.
• Students are equipped with the scientific skills required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future, and to inform decisions they make in an ever increasing technological and sustainable world.

Implementation

• Teachers create an engaging atmosphere with high expectations for learning science. Teachers drive students towards making outstanding progress.
• Science will be taught in planned and arranged topic blocks by the class teacher to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge.
• Through our planning, we involve problem solving opportunities that allow students to apply their knowledge, and find out answers for themselves.  Students are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom. Planning involves teachers creating engaging lessons, involving high-quality resources to aid understanding of conceptual knowledge. Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess students regularly to identify those with gaps in learning, so that all students keep up.
• We build upon the knowledge and skill development of the previous years. As the student’s knowledge and understanding increases, and they become more proficient in selecting, using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results, they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence.
• Working Scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the student’s school career and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching. This is developed through the years, in-keeping with the topics.
• Events, such as Syngenta, Eco club and transition days provide broader provision and the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills. These are purposeful and link with the knowledge being taught in class.