Being a Scientist at St Mary's

At St Mary’s, science is taught through our enquiry-led curriculum. This aims to connect learners to the national curriculum for Science through the investigation of the scientific world that relates as much as possible to children's experiences. Through this, our aim is that children's learning connects them to the knowledge and skills needed now and for the future. 

Through our enquiries,  children will be given opportunities to be curious, ask probing questions and be resilient in finding solutions or answers.  In science, we encourage children to be analytical and reflective, be actively involved in the learning process so that not only are they effective learners but, that they also develop a life-long love of science.

Our curriculum  provides children with creative, interactive science learning opportunities linked to the children's locality and their own experiences and interests.  Science lessons are progressively planned and matched to pupils’ cognitive development. to this end, learners are exposed to the wider world in carefully planned stages. 

Children are taught the knowledge, skills, processes and uses of science. Through this our the aspiration is that our children will be scientists who master both the know of and know how of science - not just remember it.  

As scientists, we hope to ensure that our children are equipped with the relevant scientific knowledge and skills needed to understand the past, present and future states of science, and its impact on the world around you. 

To this end enquiries, aim to ensure pupils:

• Explore science skills, knowledge and understanding through real-life, engaging and meaningful enquiries.
• Use their curiosity and imagination to stimulate questions and predictions.
• Access the skills and knowledge of ‘being a scientist’ through immersion and practice activities.
• Explore different ways of investigating and testing out their ideas by making observations, gathering data, presenting their findings and then explaining what they have found out scientifically through analysis of data they have collected.
• Work independently to complete a challenge that will enable them to answer and explain the enquiry question, and present this using a chosen medium, e.g. poster, flow chart, Key Notes presentation, iMovie.
• They will use their understanding and own personal explorations to identify  how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes

The school's Lead Scientist or Science Subject Leader is Katie Essex