Intention

We have high expectations and promote a love for Science through our rights based topic curriculum. Children develop and use a range of life important and transferable science skills including observing, planning and investigating. They question the world around them to become conscientious and  independent scientific learners. 

We strive for our pupils to acquire skills, knowledge and conceptual understanding which will support them to think scientifically, gain an understanding of scientific processes, as well as an understanding of Science in everyday life.  

We use the National Curriculum alongside our progressive curriculum to ensure that substantive knowledge and disciplinary skills are taught simultaneously. Topics focus on current phenomenon promoting global citizenship, enhancing engagement, enthusiasm and an independent drive for scientific learning; preparing our children to be future scientific leaders.

Implementation

At Star, our children are encouraged to achieve their potential and progress with confidence to the next phase of their scientific education through our robust curriculum. 

• A progressive approach to teaching ensures that lessons build on prior learning so by the time children leave KS2 they have a more sophisticated understanding of working scientifically; interwoven through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. 
• Lessons promote a sense of intrigue of the world around them through the five types of enquiry (observing over time; identifying, classifying and grouping; pattern seeking; comparative and fair testing; and problem solving). We encourage pupils to lead the learning and make independent discoveries through safe  scientific enquiry.
• The science team provides specialist CPD which drives quality first teaching, resulting in children embarking on exciting and scientific learning journeys. 
• Children know and are able to use the processes of collecting, presenting (observational drawings and scientific diagrams) and analysing their findings (keys bar charts and tables)  
• Children can read, recognise and make sense of technical terminology enabling them to articulate concepts clearly and precisely.
• Children develop their reading skills in science through high quality texts which link closely to the National Curriculum outcomes as well as our science strands.
• Our Science Ambassadors and Eco Warriors drive a passion for Science across the school.

Impact

Pupils leave our school as confident scientists; conscientious in their questioning and dynamic thinkers. Children know what science is and the power it has to help us find the truth about our ever-changing planet. Pupils are motivated in science lessons and demonstrate a sound understanding of concepts. Our topics are current, relevant and stimulate pupils to consider the world in which they live as well as their impact on the wider environment around them. The impact and quality of our science curriculum is evidenced from our ‘Gilt award’ in the nationally recognised ‘Primary Science Quality Mark.’

Enrichment

Children at Star Primary are given many enrichment opportunities as part of the wider science curriculum. We run a range of KS1 and KS2 science clubs throughout the academic year, all of which focus on practical investigations each week.  We regularly organise visits from outside agencies such as Fizz Pop that provides interactive science assemblies promoting a sense of awe, wonder and curiosity around science. We work with local secondary schools to prepare children for the next stage of their science learning journey and science specialist provisions to inspire our children into future opportunities in the field of science. We also have an active eco-council, led by a deputy head, which coordinates improvements to the school’s sustainability.  The school has invested heavily in a fantastic vegetable garden and children/ teachers take part in organised gardening activities throughout the school year.  Our outdoor Eco Zone is not only used to enrich lessons and after school clubs, including our parent planting & gardening club in the summer term, but also fosters curiosity and encourages explorative play enabling children to hunt for minibeasts in their habitats, observing the changing seasons with corresponding  plants and animals.