Science Curriculum – Intent, implementation and impact

Intent

At St. Robert’s, our goal is to provide a high quality Science education that equips our children with the foundational knowledge to understand the world around them. It is our intention that pupils not only acquire the necessary knowledge, but also understand its value, enjoy the experience of working scientifically and sustain their interest in learning Science into middle school and beyond. Our aim is to foster curiosity and excitement about natural phenomena, encouraging students to appreciate the power of rational explanations. We want our students to grasp how Science explains events, predicts behaviour and analyses causes. We aspire for our children to take a real interest in the subject and to become our Scientists of the future.

Implementation

We have designed our Science curriculum to ensure continuity and progression of essential knowledge, enquiry skills and vocabulary. We encourage children to explore the nature, processes and methods of Science through various types of scientific inquiries. Science lessons are designed to allow children to demonstrate their learning process. End of unit, practical assessments are used to check understanding and to address misconceptions before moving on. The type of scientific enquiry being used is explicitly taught in every investigation. Children become confident in understanding what type of enquiry they are using, or will need to use, in order to answer a question. By equipping our students with this foundational knowledge, we empower them to understand the uses and implications of Science both today and in the future. We foster a love for Science by taking learning outdoors wherever possible. Our Forest School and River School provision offers an abundance of natural phenomena for the children to explore. We invite inspirational visitors into school in order to cultivate Science capital and to inspire great career choices of the future.

Impact

Science learning is scaffolded, allowing children to build on their knowledge as they progress through school. This reinforces concepts and deepens their understanding over time. Exploration helps children to connect theoretical concepts with real world phenomena, making learning more exciting and meaningful. Teaching children about the different types of scientific enquiry, equips them with a toolkit for approaching questions and problems scientifically. Children confidently learn how to pose their own Scientific questions and begin to find ways to answer them. They learn to recognise when to use observational studies, experiments, surveys, or other methods to investigate phenomena. When children understand the type of enquiry they are using, they become more confident in their scientific abilities. This empowerment extends beyond the classroom helping them to better understand scientific advancements, environmental issues, and ethical considerations as they grow up. Taking learning outdoors provides a rich context for scientific exploration. Children observe natural phenomena, local ecosystems and biodiversity firsthand, enhancing their understanding of ecological processes. Our curriculum nurtures scientific thinking, curiosity, and a lifelong love for Science. It prepares our children for a future where scientific literacy is essential.