Science at St Joseph's
"Praised be you, my Lord through our Sister, Mother Earth,
who sustains us and directs us,
bringing forth all kinds of fruits,
and coloured flowers and herbs."
Saint Francis of Assisi: The Canticle of the Creatures
Our vision
At St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, we believe that effective science teaching and learning is vital to ensure that our children become scientifically literate adults who are equipped to cope in a world increasingly shaped by science and technology.
We believe effective Primary Science Education encourages aspiration and curiosity; allowing children the chance to ask questions and explore with confidence. It develops enquiring minds, deep-thinking skills and offers our children a chance to make choices, be resilient when investigations go in a different direction, form opinions and work collaboratively and with empathy.
What does Science look like at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School?
We provide engaging, hands-on, open ended activities which builds on previous experiences and knowledge. Our learning is centred in real and relevant contexts with our REACH values at the heart. We ensure our lessons are accessible and engaging for all by proving support or challenge as appropriate.
Our weekly science learning provides moments of wonder and excitement, with classrooms coming alive with the exciting buzz of investigations!
Children in Key Stages 1 and 2 are taught the key objectives as outlined in the National Curriculum for England:
Inclusion
At St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms, and reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high expectations in Science.
At St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms, and reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high expectations in Science.
Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves carefully planned lessons for each area of the sciences. This allows for progression and depths; as well as differentiation to ensure science is achievable for all.
Our Science Curriculum is high quality; well thought out; with opportunities to embed our REACH values; and is planned to demonstrate progression. If our children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress. Planning will ensure there is regular pupil conferencing and assessment opportunities to address misconceptions and gaps in understanding so that all children can keep up - not catch up.
British Science Week March 2023
Over British Science Week, we were lucky to have volunteers from Magnox- led by Mrs Shipton- to come and do a range of STEM activities with the children.
From Cartesian divers, to Brush monsters; our school came alive with Science and Technology! The children absolutely LOVED the experience and enjoyed all the problem solving, designing and exploring that each activity brought.
A huge thank you to Magnox and especially Mrs Shipton for making this week so memorable!
Update: February 2023
During the Autumn term of 2022, St Joseph's Science Club worked really hard on getting their CREST award investigations done. We had to complete 8 hours of investigations, which we all completed in 11 weeks!
Just before the Christmas holidays, we sent off evidence to prove we had done this, and at the end of January, the certificates arrived!
The certificates were presented to the 21 children who were in the Autumn term Science club in our celebration assembly.
However, Mrs Carr forgot to get a picture of all 21 children (sorry!), so pictured below are the Year 4 members of Autumn term Science club with their certificates and badges.
If your child received a CREST award certificate, we invite you to email a photo of them with their certificate to ADMIN or SLT so they can be included the website- thank you!
Year 4 Autumn Science club with CREST award certificate and badge!
Academic Year 2022-23: Science Club
As part of our Science Club, the children are working towards their CREST SuperStar award!
The SuperStar Awards are a great introduction to real life problem solving by encouraging children to work scientifically and explore the world around them. As with any area of science, the children need to show confidence and resilience- especially when the investigation goes in a different direction! The children are encouraged to create investigations and explore other routes, always investigating other possible ways to test their theories.
As the Club is for KS2, the children are given opportunities to work with children in different classes which sharpens their collaboration skills and empathy.
We look forward to awarding the children their awards very soon!