SCIENCE

Children are naturally curious about the world in which they live. Through the science curriculum the school aims to give the children the opportunity to ask questions, to investigate, to formulate hypotheses, to design and carry out experiments and to make observations and record results.

Children start to explore aspects of Science in the early years, when they discover more about themselves and the world in which they live.  The Science National Curriculum is then taught from Year 1 to Year 6, where pupils learn more about simple physical phenomena, properties of materials, animals and humans and how substances and materials relate to one another and can change in different conditions. Children follow a structured programme of learning, where these science topics are taught in an age- appropriate way, as they progress through school. The Science projects are also linked, wherever possible, to the current theme of the class to ensure that learning is meaningful and enjoyable.

Children explore scientific facts through testing, working towards designing their own experiments to get clear and accurate results.  They investigate scientific questions, test and then analyse results.

Aims

We aim to ensure that all pupils:

• develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
• develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
• are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

 The Science Subject Leader is Mr Oliver Haines

CUSP Science curriculum

As a key planning and teaching resource from September 2022, we are following the CUSP curriculum for science. The units within the CUSP curriculum complement the science curriculum which we had already developed as a school. 

CUSP Science pays close attention to guidance provided by the National Curriculum sequence and content. It is infused with evidence-led practice and enriched with retrieval studies to ensure long-term retention of foundational knowledge. The foundations of CUSP science are
cemented in the EYFS through learning within the Natural World, and People, Culture and Communities.
Our ambitious interpretation of the National Curriculum places knowledge, vocabulary, working and thinking scientifically at the heart of our principles, structure and practice.
CUSP Science precisely follows the units outlined in the National Curriculum. 
Through studying CUSP science, we are aiming for our pupils to become ‘a little more expert’ as they progress through the curriculum, accumulating, connecting and making sense of the rich substantive and disciplinary knowledge.

There are three domains studied in science: biology, physics and chemistry.

Biology: This is the study of 

• Animals, including humans
• Plants
• Living things and their habitats
• Evolution and inheritance

Physics: This is the study of 

• Seasonal changes
• Light
• Forces and magnets
• Electricity
• Sound
• Earth in Space
  

Chemistry This is the study of

• Everyday materials
• Uses of everyday materials
• Rocks
• States of matter
• Properties and changes of materials

We are gradually adapting our medium term plans to reflect the CUSP curriculum.

Science Policy

Science Long-term Plan: currently being updated for LKS2 Cycle B and UKS2

What the children should know and remember in science:

Science Medium Term Plans

Class 2

Class 3:

Class 4:

Disciplinary Knowledge Ladders

Teachers make use of the ladders below to ensure a progression of disciplinary knowledge across the science curriculum.  

Science Week 2019!

 This year's Science week was inspired by St Thomas' Ogden Trust partnership and partially funded by links to the science and invention heritage organisation 1001 Inventions.  We focused on scientific endeavour and invention from the Golden Age with a keen interest in Scientists from different cultural backgrounds.  The scientists/inventors chosen came from countries ranging from China, through Africa and into Muslim Spain.  Each class was tasked with learning about the work of a different scientist/inventor and they worked practically to explore their work.  The week got off to a great start thanks to our visitor, the highly talented actor Nicholas Khan who performed in the role of prominent doctor and inventor Al-Zahrawi (check out the pictures below).  Each Class developed a practical and hands on showcase for a grand celebration that was held on Friday 19th July.  The Children had the chance to share their learning with parents and reinforce their practical science skills and appreciation for cultural diversity.  A great time was had and some fantastic learning took place.  The pictures of us in action are below...

Nicholas Khan as 'Al-Zahrawi'. 

Click on the images to enlarge them.  Thanks Nick it was truly inspiring.

The Science Showcase for Science Week 2019

UCLan SciFest 2019!

Some children from Class 4 were given the opportunity to attend the UCLan SciFest at Preston Campus.  Below is a selection of pictures from their visit and a report on what we all got up to written by two of our pupils: Tullia Jones and  Imogen Sethi.

St Thomas' are delighted with their 'Gold' award in the National Primary Science Quality Mark. To achieve this, we focused on: providing top quality Science teaching across the school with 'wow' visits and visitors; collaborating with local schools on Science projects; enlisting the help of our pupils through Science reps from each class and inviting lead Science teachers in to share their expertise with us.

Below are the results of our staff thought shower session when we thought about what makes Science great....