Science

Purpose of Study

A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. 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.

Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge, concepts and skills, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes. They will develop as independent, ambitious and successful learners who understand the importance of Science within their life. Children will develop their Science cultural capital to understand STEM career opportunities locally and nationally, developing their ambition for the future.

We recognise at Carville that pupils have lower than average language acquisition, English lessons will allow a focus on explicit teaching of new vocabulary, expose pupils to high quality scientific texts and support them in embedding writing skills to develop their scientific writing.

Who is the Carville Scientist?

The Carville Scientist is equipped with the skills, knowledge and terminology to work scientifically and can communicate their findings in a variety of ways. Through the use of practical hands-on lessons which are explicitly built upon knowledge statements as detailed in the National Curriculum, all children will develop their curiosity about scientific processes and will be able to apply their knowledge to a range of scientific enquiry techniques, regardless of their individual needs.

Pupils will have the opportunity to develop their curiosity through practical experiences, specialised STEM advisors and working with industry, within the local community to further develop their knowledge and understanding of the world. We recognise at Carville that pupils enter with limited experiences of Science within the real world and through the use of close partnerships within the community (NUSTEM, Beamish, Northumbria University etc.) we aim to develop their cultural capital and aspirations to further support their understanding of scientific concepts and to make links with the outside world.

Through the use of Sonar Curriculum, Science will be taught alongside English and subjects such as Design Technology to support pupils in making connections across and between different curriculum areas and have a secure understanding of the content covered.

Carville Science Rationale

  • Purposeful, hands on and engaging learning opportunities encourage the development of Scientific curiosity, understanding and skills.
  • Cross curricular skills will be developed through the use of carefully designed lessons and use of high quality resources (for example: mathematical measurement skills)
  • Working scientifically objectives will be regularly explicitly taught, revisited and embedded within and across year groups to ensure fluency of scientific enquiry, processes and methods.
  • Lessons develop in small steps and revisit content regularly to ensure depth, understanding and a lower cognitive load. Pupils are able to access learning and make progress, regardless of their individual needs.
  • Connections are made across a range of suitable subject areas, the wider world and the community, where applicable to broaden children’s cultural capital and encourage their children’s scientific curiosity.
  • Aspirations are developed and broadened through exposing pupils to a range of experiences utilising links with the community, specialised visitors and focused subject weeks.
  • Children are explicitly taught about Scientific careers to broaden their horizons, develop their ambition for the future and to provide a real life purpose for their learning.
  • Subject specific vocabulary is introduced, modelled and used regularly by pupils and adults in Science and literacy lessons. Vocabulary is regularly recalled and practised through the use of display on working walls.