Science is taught from a dedicated scheme of work, planned and arranged by the year group teachers. Our aim is to provide all our children with a strategy of achieving a greater depth in the subject.

Through the planning and delivery of each strand we aim to spark the children’s curiosity.  We encourage them to problem solve, ask questions and think scientifically around each discovery they find.

Using diagnostic questions helps us find any gaps in every child’s understanding, allowing us to address any shortfall, ensuring all the children receive an in-depth immersion into the subject area.

Every year we build upon the previous year’s learning and skill development.  As the children’s knowledge develops and they become more skilled in using the appropriate scientific equipment and collating and interpreting results, our children are able to then draw up their own conclusions, based on their own findings.

Each topic is designed to deliver our shared school science principles of: problem solving, discovery, related to real life, practical, collaborative, seen in action and fun.

Our teachers are confident in modelling how to use scientific equipment in experiments, as well as challenging the children to the outcomes.  Continuing development of the teacher skills as well as a strong relationship with the science department at our feeder high school, gives each child the skills and knowledge they require for their transition into KS3.

As part of the school’s extra-curricular activities, a science club is offered to all Y1-6 children, as well as visits to scientific sites and on-site visitors (for example, a travelling Planetarium).

The successful delivery of science at St John Vianney results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world. The children see the value of science in solving problems, discovery, it’s application in real life, practicality, collaborative nature, being seen in action and ultimately fun.

Our engagement with the local environment ensures that children learn through varied and first-hand experiences of the world around them. Frequent, continuous and progressive learning outside the classroom is embedded throughout the science curriculum. Through various workshops, trips and interactions with experts, children have the understanding that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity. Children learn the possibilities for careers in science.  Our community links with our feeder high school ensures that the children have access to positive role models within the field of science from the immediate and wider local community. This will ultimately build on their science knowledge and capital, from this exposure to a range of different scientists from various backgrounds, all children feel they are scientists and capable of achieving. Children at St John Vianney overwhelmingly enjoy science and this results in motivated learners with sound scientific understanding.