Our children are scientists, and we want to give them all a broad and balanced science curriculum which enables them to confidently explore and discover the world around them. We want our children to be inspired by the science we teach and to have no limits to their ambitions.

We believe science encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes, and endeavour to deliver a rich curriculum that supports our children to thrive in all of these areas.

At the heart of our progressive science curriculum is scientific investigation. Ours is a coherently planned and sequenced curriculum, which has been carefully designed and developed with the needs of every child at the centre of what we do.  The acquisition of key scientific knowledge is an integral part of our science lessons. We are developing knowledge organisers to support our children to retain the key vocabulary and knowledge contained in each unit. We use a progression of skills across the school for working scientifically group and the skills of scientific enquiry are a key focus within lessons.

At St Bartholomew’s, science topics are taught within each year group in accordance with the National Curriculum. Every year group builds upon their learning from prior years, developing depth of understanding and progression of skills. Children explore, question, predict, plan, carry out investigations and observations, and conclude their findings. In order to support children in their ability to know more and remember more, there are regular opportunities to review the learning that has occurred in previous topics as well as prior lessons.

Teachers use effective assessment for learning in each lesson to highlight and address misconceptions and to ensure that children make good progress in science. 

Our children understand that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future growth, and they feel empowered to make a difference. This is evidenced in a range of ways, including through pupil voice, their work, and their overwhelming enjoyment for science.

By engaging with PSQM, Encounter Edu, The Mayors Fund, Explorify and other local initiatives within the community, children acquire a deeply rooted knowledge and understanding of the place of science in the world.