Science – St Matthew's Catholic Primary School

Primary Science Quality Mark

St Matthew’s have been awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark (Outreach) 2021-2024.

Download: St Matthews – PSQM Reviewers Feedback [PDF]
Download: PSQM Further Information [PDF]
Download: Primary Science Quality Mark Evidence [PDF]

Statement

St Matthew’s Catholic Primary School understands the need for all pupils to develop their Scientific ability as an essential component of all subjects and as a subject in its own right. A good understanding of scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding helps to support pupils work across the curriculum.

On this page, you will find relevant information about the Science Curriculum at St Matthew’s.

View our Science Policy on our Curriculum Policies page

Download: Science Overview 2023-2024 [PDF]
Download: Science – Curriculum Vision 2023-2024 [PDF]
Download: Science Knowledge – Curriculum Milestones 2023-2024 [PDF]
Download: Working Scientifically – Curriculum Milestones 2023-2024 [PDF]

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Intent

At St Matthew’s it is our intention for our children to leave us as confident scientists both in their subject knowledge and working scientifically.

Our main aims are:

To encourage curiosity and exploration
To have children who are passionate and excited about learning science
To have pupils who are confident to work independently and collaboratively in groups
To have pupils who can talk about key scientists and how they have impacted our lives
To have learning that encourages oracy skills to be developed
To have pupils who are able to problem-solve, think critically and learn through making mistakes, self-correction and discovery
To have pupils who are confident to explain their findings to their peers and adults
To have pupils who understand the importance of science in everyday life and how it has shaped our past and future
To have opportunities for outdoor learning that enriches the science curriculum
To have high standards for outcomes within our science curriculum
To have pupils who have a range of science capital opportunities available to them
To have opportunities to celebrate good science work across St Matthew’s

Implementation

In order to implement our vision at St Matthew’s, we have the following:

Weekly science lessons are taught as part of the core curriculum
Opportunities for hands-on learning working scientifically
The teachers will deliver lessons that will develop the children’s scientific skills and knowledge
Children’s independence is developed through clearly-defined science group roles: Experimentor, Co-experimentors, Lab Technicians and Lead scientists
Working scientifically lessons are based around ‘real-life’ problems
Staff promote problem solving and independence by giving simple instructions at the start of practical lessons to allow pupils to find the problem themselves
Seesaw is used to
A3 laminated stick it Planning Like a Scientists are used to support and make planning of experiments more engaging and inclusive by doing so in mixed-ability groups
Medium-term planning and displays will show exemplar scientists and how they have influenced our lives
Science knowledge and skills are taught and practised during weekly trips to Windsor Gardens
Termly monitoring and feedback to staff by science lead and SLT to ensure high expectations are being established across the school
Science planning is reviewed regularly by the science coordinator in-line with feedback from staff
Provide a range of opportunities to develop science capital through: trips, visits, after school clubs, booster and transition opportunities at local secondary schools etc
Resources are well-organised and readily accessible to staff and children.. The equipment is boxed and labelled either as part of a topic (6 per year group). An additional fun science cupboard is available to support after-school science clubs and enrichment activities
Great science work is celebrated through termly Nobel-Prize winners in assembly, stars and stickers for excellent work, students example work on classroom and communal displays and through Science Ambassadors
P4C, Explorify and concept cartoons are used to assess prior knowledge and possible misconceptions

Impact

Children will leave St Matthew’s meeting age-related expectations within science
Children will have enthusiasm and enjoy their science learning
Teachers will have secure subject knowledge and feel confident to challenge misconceptions within lessons
Children will have a good understanding of what makes a good scientist and are able to demonstrate this through practical and oral explanations
Children will have opportunities to access extra-curricular science opportunities
The science Coordinator will have a clear understanding of the areas of strength and development. These will be used to drive improvement across the school
Staff will feel supported by the subject lead regarding planning, CPD and resource