Science

St Ambrose RC Primary School - Science Curriculum Intent

 “For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease.” (Job 14:7)

At St Ambrose, we reflect the National Curriculum aims:

• 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 and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena and God’s great world.
• Children should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave and analyse causes.

In this subject:

At St Ambrose, through science teaching, we encourage our pupils to appreciate the complexity of God’s world and delve further into its amazing properties.  Our pupils are inspired by Pope Francis, who requests that we become ‘stewards of creation’ and look after our ‘common home’.  Our aim is to make children aware that they can make a valuable contribution to improving the world we all share as future scientists.  

We reflect on each science topic and evaluate its impact in different communities, contexts, and times worldwide.  For example, comparing the impact of climate change and how we can contribute positively.  

The children are instructed to follow the standard protocols for reporting in science, including mathematical/graphical data.  Other opportunities arise whereby they can, for example, write biographies or write news reports to convey and share their understanding.  We endeavour to provide the children with experiences which will ignite a passion for working to the best of their ability, ethically and diligently, in their future chosen careers.  At St Ambrose, we enhance our science provision by introducing aspirational role models to the children and organising visits to inspirational vocations. 

Science work is displayed in each classroom to celebrate the children’s learning and show value.  We make children aware that scientific endeavour has been contributed to by persons of all nations, genders, and religious beliefs, all for the human family's greater good (in most cases).

'In God's family, we grow and learn in love, hope and faith.'

Science at St Ambrose

Science National Curriculum

Please click on the link above to view the national curriculum for Science. The national curriculum tells you everything that the children will learn over the coming year.

Click on Files to Download below for each year group to view the documents that show what is taught in each year group and what the children are expected to learn by the end of the academic year.

Science Knowledge and Skills Progression

Children will learn a range of skills in Science during their time in EY, Key Stage One and Two at St Ambrose; the files to download below show you what these are for each year group in our school.

Working scientifically

Part of the national science curriculum is workings scientifically. This includes 5 key strands of working scientifically to develop key skills in thinking logically, questioning, planning and carrying out investigations and drawing conclusions. 

The 5 strands of working scientifically are:

Pattern seeking

Sorting and Classifying

Fair testing (or controlling variables)

Observation over time

Research using secondary sources.

Over the course of the year, every class completes several of each type of working scientifically to ensure that all the skills are developed and secured.

Files to Download