Science

Intent

At Holy Trinity School we want to inspire every child to develop a love of science through active and engaging learning that is relevant to their everyday lives and experiences. We aim to create independent learners who aspire to success and are adept at applying their knowledge and skills to solving real world community problems. Our curriculum follows the National Curriculum for primary science, while maximising our unique resources including the STEM Hub and our outdoor learning area.

Implementation

Our curriculum is organised into the three scientific disciplines: biology, chemistry and physics. Working scientifically skills are woven into every lesson and are taught alongside scientific knowledge. To support this we have a fantastic array of resources in our STEM Hub – a space dedicated to the delivery of STEM subjects, and especially science. The children are taught to use equipment such as microscopes and data loggers, and are able to choose from a range of up-to-date and engaging resources when working scientifically.

Children study the following topics:

Biology: Animals including humans, Living things and their habitats, Plants, Evolution and inheritance
Chemistry: Materials, Rocks, States of Matter, Properties and changes of materials
Physics: Sound, Light, Electricity, Forces, Space, Seasons

Children spend one afternoon per week learning science, and some of these lessons will be taught in the Hub.

Outdoor learning is embedded into our science curriculum. Our wildlife garden, pond, and eco-area are used regularly to support, enhance and enrich our children’s learning experiences. Alongside the use of our own school site, we also make good use of local sites such as Richmond Park, including Holly Lodge, Kew Gardens and Sheen Common.

At Holy Trinity School we believe that it is important to offer opportunities to increase science capital for all members of our wider community. We aim to nurture the aspirations of our pupils to further their interest and achievement in science.

Such opportunities may include:

Science trips
Entering national competitions and activities (Great Science Share, Royal Society Young People’s Book awards)
Visits by organisations such as the Royal Institution (which will include community outreach)
Visitors who work in STEM careers and professions
STEM Week

Impact on the children’s learning is monitored and tracked in a number of ways so we can continually review and improve our provision. These include:

Termly book looks and learning walks
Monitoring of planning across the school
TAPS tasks to assess working scientifically skills
Assessment recorded against TAFs
Holy Trinity has successfully completed PSQM twice and currently holds the Gilt Award. We aspire to become an Outreach school and completed our submission in March 2024.

Children will be enthusiastic and engaged learners in science and this will be evidenced through termly Pupil Voice activities.

Children will be ready to transition successfully to KS3.

Impact

Impact on the children’s learning is monitored and tracked in a number of ways so we can continually review and improve our provision. These include:

Termly book looks and learning walks
Monitoring of planning across the school
TAPS tasks to assess working scientifically skills
Assessment recorded in the class science folders
Holy Trinity has successfully completed PSQM twice and currently holds the gilt Award; After completing a Gilt to Outreach course, we intend to work towards the Outreach Award next year (2023)

Children will be enthusiastic and engaged learners in science and this will be evidenced through termly Pupil Voice activities. Children will be ready to transition successfully to KS3

Science

Intent

Implementation

Impact

Love learning, Love one another, Love God