The Curriculum: Science

We intend to develop young scientists’ understanding, natural curiosity and wonder about the world around them, through scientific enquiry in the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. The curriculum is organised so that working scientifically (disciplinary knowledge) is embedded within scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding (substantive content). Working scientifically includes developing an understanding of the nature, methods and processes of science through different types of scientific enquiry. Science at The Mead Academy Trust is cohesive, so that children develop a cumulative understanding of science within and across each key stage. Scientific knowledge and understanding is reinforced and embedded across many different subject disciplines including Mathematics.  Children are taught the transferability of science-related knowledge, attitudes, experiences and resources that you acquire through life (science capital).

Our children are taught how to be scientists by using and applying disciplinary knowledge.

They will think, and behave like scientists, learning through understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science. These processes include:

• Asking questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
• Observing over time
• Seeking patterns
• Comparative and fair testing
• Identifying, classifying and grouping
• Researching using secondary sources

Children will build and extend their substantive knowledge of science by making connections between scientific concepts, other subjects and the world in which they live.

Children will retain this knowledge due to the recurring concepts and vocabulary in a well sequenced and coherent spiral curriculum. This helps them make connections between prior learning and help them make sense of future learning.