Science
Science is a core subject in the National Curriculum and is part of our broad and balanced curriculum for all pupils. At St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School, we aim to nurture a love of Science both in school and at home. We want our children to have opportunities to question, explore and reflect upon the world they live in.
Science is taught in each year group through our Dimensions Curriculum (Learning Means The World) and STEM links are made to other curriculum areas where appropriate e.g. Mathematics and Design Technology. The Dimensions Curriculum has a focus on both knowledge building and the progression of scientific skills. Through the Dimensions Curriculum our children will explore processes and changes, know which methods to use during investigations, be able to observe and record their findings, apply scientific vocabulary and have knowledge of when in everyday activities science is useful.
Each class will carry out investigations that challenge, stimulate and build on their scientific knowledge from year to year whilst meeting the needs of all pupils. By the time they reach the later years they will be able to set up and carry out their own scientific investigations. Where possible we aim to include the outdoor learning environment and hands on activities that where children will experience the joy of learning 'how' and 'why'. An example of this is watching our chicks in Year 2 each year. Alongside our Dimensions Curriculum we are developing our working scientifically skills with resources from the Ogden Trust materials.
We feel that Science is important and have raised the profile of Science within our school. Children have the chance to look and feel like scientists through wearing our school lab coats. In addition, every class has an investigation bag each year for a pupil to take home each week (this contains a recording book with suggested activities, equipment and a lab coat where needed.)
Progression in Science from EYFS to Year 6 is ensured through following the Dimensions Curriculum whole school progression of skills document. The National Curriculum is coherently planned and sequenced in each year group to include the biology, chemistry and physics aspects of Science.
We continue to have strong supporting links with St Richard's Catholic College. This enables some KS2 year groups to experience subject specialist teaching and STEM workshops either here or at the College particularly in our annual British Science Week.
