Intent       

At St Dunstan’s Catholic School, we value science education and its alignment with our faith. We intend to provide a comprehensive curriculum that fosters curiosity, nurtures spiritual growth, and develops a deep understanding of the natural world. Following the national curriculum, our engaging lessons prioritise practical experiences and encourage exploration, investigation, and questioning. Our progressive curriculum ensures the acquisition of scientific knowledge, concepts, and skills, focusing on critical thinking and problem-solving. Units are planned coherently across year groups, building on knowledge and introducing new vocabulary and challenging concepts. We create an inclusive learning environment for all children of all abilities. By nurturing a love for science, we empower our children to be stewards of creation, embracing the wonder of the natural world through their faith. We aim to equip children with scientific thinking, an understanding of science's uses and implications and an appreciation of God's creation. 

Implementation 

Our curriculum offers engaging and high-quality lessons that support learning and foster confidence. At St Dunstan’s School, our science principles for learning include:  

• We develop children’s natural curiosity. 

• Children ask and answer questions to explore and understand the world that they live in.  

• Children are engaged in what they are learning.  

• Children understand and use scientific vocabulary. 

• Children have opportunities to develop skills in working scientifically.  

• Children learn about important scientists who have shaped our world. 

• We build the Science Capital of all children of all abilities. 

Science is taught in topic blocks, allowing children to fully engage in their learning and achieve a deep understanding of the subject. Our teachers carefully plan creative and engaging lessons, utilising high-quality resources to enhance conceptual knowledge. They employ precise questioning techniques to assess conceptual understanding and skills, regularly evaluating children's progress and identifying any learning gaps that need to be addressed. We encourage children to explore their questions and develop their scientific skills and research abilities to find answers. Our curriculum promotes cross-curricular learning opportunities, and we provide appropriate support for our SEND children to ensure their progress aligns with their peers. Working Scientifically skills are integrated into lessons, ensuring their development and progression from EYFS to Year 6. By implementing these strategies, we aim to foster a love for science, develop critical thinking skills, and provide a solid foundation for further scientific exploration. 

Enrichment activities such as workshops, trips, and extracurricular programs provide opportunities for our children to deepen their understanding of how science has shaped our lives and its importance for the world's future prosperity. Through this comprehensive approach, we aim to develop scientifically literate individuals who embrace their faith and actively contribute to society. 

Impact 

By the end of Key Stage Two, all children will have developed scientific enquiry skills in the five key areas:  

• Observing changes over time 

• Noticing patterns 

• Grouping and classifying things 

• Finding things out through secondary sources of information 

• Modelling 

From a young age, children will love science and nurture the idea of being "real" scientists. Through enjoyable experiences, our children will become motivated learners with a strong grasp of scientific concepts and skills. 

Our children will understand how the world works and can effectively communicate their knowledge using scientific vocabulary. They will understand the practical applications of science in the real world and the potential careers they can pursue. We aim to inspire high aspirations in our children, guiding them towards future education, employment, and successful adulthood.