It is our intention to develop in our children, a lifelong curiosity and interest in the sciences. We intend for children to have the opportunity to learn through varied systematic investigations leading them to ask and answer scientific questions about the world around them. As children progress through the year groups, they build on their skill in working scientifically, as well as their scientific knowledge and understanding.

At St Gregory's we believe that when children have engaged in sufficient activities to have become secure in the required knowledge, it is time to reflect on their learning. We track children's progress in understanding through fun interactive science quizzes. Children that are not secure can then be given additional activities to provide them with further opportunities to show that they are secure, possibly gathering evidence in a different way for example verbally in a small group context. Children that are secure can be given enrichment activities to broaden their thinking.

To assess the working scientifically skills of children, observe their execution of skills that have been previously modeled and take note of those children who are not secure in using them. If children are still not secure in the knowledge and skills, further opportunities are provided later in the year, for them to revisit them.

EYFS

The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum supports children’s understanding of Science through the planning and teaching of ‘Understanding the World.’ Children find out about objects, materials and living things using all of their senses looking at similarities, differences, patterns and change. Both the environment and skilled practitioners foster curiosity and encourage explorative play, children are motivated to ask questions about why things happen and how things work. Our children are encouraged to use their natural environment around them to explore. Children enjoy spending time outdoors exploring mini-beasts and their habitats, observing the changing seasons, plants and animals. Children regularly participate in cookery and baking sessions which allows them to experience changes in state as ingredients are mixed, heated and cooled.

At St Gregory's we believe that it is important for the children to build a secure body of scientific knowledge. To achieve this it is important to understand what the children have been taught previously that links to the topics and related statements from the science National Curriculum that will be taught in the coming year. Through our curriculum logo map the children are able to make these links. We ensure that all children have the opportunity to engage in initial activities that secure prior learning. We track children's understanding through fun interactive science quizzes. This helps us to identify children that were not secure when the linked learning was taught.

At St Gregory's we believe that it is important to be clear about the key learning, vocabulary and working scientifically skills that the children need to acquire. ​We have create detailed knowledge organisers for the children that link to each scientific topic. Our scientific knowledge progression documents and working scientifically progression documents provide this information in further detail.