The Essential Characteristics of Scientists:
• The ability to think independently and raise questions about working scientifically and understand the knowledge and skills that questioning brings
• Confidence and competence in the full range of practical skills, taking the initiative in, for example, planning and carrying out scientific investigations
• Excellent scientific knowledge and understanding which is demonstrated in written and verbal explanations, solving challenging problems and reporting scientific findings
• High levels of originality, imagination or innovation in the application of skills
• The ability to undertake practical work in a variety of contexts, including fieldwork
• A passion for science and its application in past, present and future technologies
(Chris Quigley Essentials Curriculum)
Leigh St Mary’s Primary’s Science is a spiral curriculum, with essential knowledge and skills revisited with increasing complexity, allowing pupils to revise and build on their previous learning. A range of engaging recall activities promote frequent pupil reflection on prior learning, ensuring new learning is approached with confidence. Using elements of the Kapow Science curriculum, the Science in Action strand is interwoven throughout the curriculum to make the concepts and skills relevant to pupils and inspiring for future application. Cross-curricular links are included throughout each area of learning, allowing children to make connections and apply their science skills to other areas of learning. Each unit is based upon one of the key science disciplines; Biology, Chemistry and Physics and to show progression throughout the school we have grouped the National Curriculum content into six key areas of science:
Pupils explore knowledge and conceptual understanding through engaging activities and an introduction to relevant specialist vocabulary. As suggested in Ofsted’s Science research review (April 2021), the ‘working scientifically’ skills are integrated with conceptual understanding rather than taught discretely. This provides frequent, but relevant, opportunities for developing scientific enquiry skills. Within the curriculum teachers plan practical activities that aid in the progression of individual skills and also provide opportunities for full investigations.