Science
Our Vision: Reaching for the Stars with Aspiration and Hope
In Science, we encourage our children to be scientists! We look to the works of influential scientists e.g. Mary Anning (famous fossil collector and palaeontologist) and Spencer Silver (inventor of post it notes high tack, low adhesive quality) to inspire us in our scientific learning and discoveries. We aim to provide a Science Curriculum that inspires children to Reach for the Stars, having Aspiration and Hope in scientific discoveries and their lasting impact on our world .
We have a clear, sequential progression overview, with our intent, implementation and impact explained (below) that ensures that each child is challenged in their scientific learning. This is very specific and ensures that scientific knowledge and understanding is built upon and extended as children progress throughout the school. Working Scientifically is a thread throughout.
There are three aims in the Science National curriculum which are to ensure children::
- develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
- develop 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
- are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
Our curriculum achieves this, providing depth and breadth for learners. Please read our Science Curriculum document to learn more about our Intent, implementation and Impact, as well as see how Science is taught progressively throughout school.
Our Christian Values (in action in Science): Respect, Motivation, Cooperation, Kindness, Pride, Perseverance
These Values are seen as curriculum drivers and learning behaviours to succeed and 'Reach for the Stars'. They were chosen by our church school community, with our church school community and their needs in mind. Our values are rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and we use our learning from the Biblical texts to inspire us in our learning, providing us with Aspiration and Hope.
Respect-'In the Gospel of John, it is shared how Jesus got down and washed the feet of his disciples. He exclaimed that 'slaves are never greater than their masters and messengers are never greater than the ones who sent them' (13:16). The message is given that we should respect all people regardless of station.
In Science we learn to respect the work of scientists and how science has influenced and shaped the world we live in today. We explore and investigate scientifically and know that it is important to respect the equipment we are using and stay true to the different scientific methods and approaches.
Motivation: When Jesus talks to the Rich, Young Man and then addresses his disciples (Matthew 19: 26-27), he shares the importance of motivation and living by the 12 Commandments. He encourages all people to give all that they have stating that 'with God all things are possible'
We are motivated to discover in science. We pose questions and work scientifically to answer these.
Cooperation: 'So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.' Nehemiah 4:6. Everyone combined forces to rebuild the wall, showing great cooperation and teamwork, working against the odds
We understand the importance of scientific cooperation. We know that in order to solve scientific problems we can achieve more as a team.
Kindness: Seen in the 'Book of Jonah', where God shows great love and kindness to the people of Nineveh, by forgiving them for their sins and showing mercy.
In science we learn to be kind to the world around us. We develop an understanding of how important a resource our natural world is and how we must show kindness in how we look after it.
Pride: God shows immense Pride in his Creation in the first chapter of the Book of Genesis (1:31), where he 'he looked at all he had made, and he was very pleased.'
We are proud of our discoveries in science and draw pride from the scientists (nationally and globally) who have had such a lasting legacy on our society and world as we know it.
Perseverance: Noah showed immense perseverance and faith in building an ark and filling it to God's instruction. God was so pleased with his perseverance and recognised that he was the 'only one in all the world, who does what is right' ( Genesis 7:1)
We persevere to achieve our scientific goals and have faith that we can do this! We recognise the extreme hard work and dedication of scientists to succeed, breaking down boundaries and pioneering new concepts and thinking.
Connectivity
As a part of our whole school cohesion in the curriculum we adopt an enquiry focus each term, e.g. being sportsmen, gymnasts, athletes, historians, geographers, artists, musicians, linguists... We believe that this creates better connectivity between the subjects, making learning more relevant to the children, so that they are inspired to 'reach for the stars' as a school team and personally.