SCIENCE INTENT

“The most important thing is to never stop questioning.  Curiosity has its own reason for existing. “  Albert Einstein.

When children leave Carter’s, they will be curious, critical thinkers, organized, focused, have good observational and communication skills and be able to form their own opinions.  A strong level of knowledge and understanding will built upon in layers in order that they have real mastery and can channel this knowledge and understanding, making it a transferable skill.

It is our endeavour to provide a high-quality science education that provides children with the foundations they need to recognise the importance of science in every aspect of daily life. We want our children to appreciate how science has changed the lives of human beings and know that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity. Therefore, all pupils will be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science.

Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. Our curriculum also encourages children to become enquiry-based learners, collaborating through researching, investigating and evaluating experiences. It will provide opportunities for the critical evaluation of evidence and rational explanation of scientific phenomena as well as opportunity to apply their mathematical knowledge to their understanding of science, including collecting, presenting and analysing data. Children will be immersed in key scientific vocabulary, which supports in the acquisition of scientific knowledge and understanding.  The following types of scientific enquiries are woven throughout our curriculum: Pattern Seeking, Comparative/Fair Testing, Research, Observation Over Time and Identifying, Grouping and Classifying to ensure that children are gaining a full breadth of opportunities to engage in learning as scientists.

All aspects of ‘Working Scientifically’ from the National Curriculum are interwoven throughout our curriculum, again, to ensure that children understand what it means to be a successful scientist. All children will be provided with a broad and balanced science curriculum, which builds on prior learning and reflects the equality and diversity policies and practice in school.