As one of the core subjects taught in Primary Schools, we give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires. The children are exposed to a wide variety of topics which fall under the three main disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. The biological thread of plants, animals and humans runs across all year groups; building and developing children’s understanding as they move through the school. This begins with identification of animals and their habitats, and progresses to food chains , life cycles and environmental impacts upon the natural world. Children are also taught in detail about the human body, its processes and how it functions. The chemistry and physics units cover a broad spectrum of topics including space, forces, state of matter, light and electricity among others. As with our whole school curriculum, we will make meaningful links where appropriate. For science these links may be with the study of our local area, geography, design technology or PSHE.
Within the disciplines of science we have identified the ‘big ideas’ (or threshold concepts) that help children to link old learning to new learning. These big ideas are:
Our science lessons aim to be practical and interactive, teaching knowledge through using and applying the skills of scientific enquiry, enabling children to ask and answer scientific questions with confidence and accuracy. Specialist vocabulary for topics is taught and built up, and effective questioning to communicate ideas is encouraged. We have identified the ‘big ideas’ of scientific enquiry as:
We explore the methods of science through different types of enquiry:
At Trinity Church School, we empower children to become innately curious scientists, who question the world around them and seek answers through immersive and practical learning whilst using their prior knowledge to investigate and extend their understanding.
We believe Science is good when…