In our Science teaching and learning at Holy Trinity, we celebrate and value everyone in our school community, where our Christian ethos of Growing Together as Children of God is at the root of everything that we do.

Science lessons throughout the school are ambitious, sequenced and coherently planned so that the children continue to develop an understanding of the world around them whilst acquiring specific skills and knowledge to help them to think and work scientifically.

At Holy Trinity, scientific enquiry skills are learned, embedded and built upon in each topic the children study and these topics are revisited and developed as they progress through primary school as well as transitioning to KS3. Topics, such as Plants, are taught in EYFS, in Key Stage One then studied again in further detail throughout Key Stage Two, with pupils’ knowledge and understanding being built upon in steps. Increasing their science skills through testing and investigations, pupils’ enthusiasm for being a scientist increases whilst also embedding procedural knowledge in the long-term memory.

All children are encouraged to develop and use a range of advancing skills including making observations, organising, testing, predicting, planning, carrying out investigations, recording findings and evaluating their learning. As well as being encouraged to question the world around them and become independent learners by exploring possible answers for their scientific based questions. Specialist vocabulary for topics is taught and built up, and effective questioning to communicate ideas is encouraged. Concepts taught should be reinforced by focusing on the key features of scientific enquiry, so that pupils learn to use a variety of approaches to answer relevant scientific questions.

Science is taught weekly, usually in half-term blocks throughout the year, so that children achieve depth in their learning. The key knowledge and skills that the children acquire and develop throughout each unit have been mapped to ensure progression between year groups throughout the school. Teaching is also informed by the children’s starting points and takes account of pupil voice, incorporating children’s interests.

From the first lesson of every unit the children have their own copy of the Knowledge Organiser (KO) for the aspect of science being studied, and this is referred to regularly during the unit. Alongside the KO, regular low stake quizzes and other retrieval practice ideas, help to consolidate the learning. Children undertake mission assignments each lesson, and learn from STEM experts, which helps to link science teaching to real-life examples. For example, Network Rail experts spoke about how their network uses electrical conductors and switches. Mission Assignments are often practical in nature, so that the children learn by doing, to embed the learning.

Planning is informed by, and aligned with the National Curriculum, including The Early Years Foundation Stage (Understanding the World). The school has adopted the Developing Experts Scheme of Work, which is adapted to meet the needs of the children at Holy Trinity, and has a mission to enable children to access high-quality STEM education.

Our curriculum extends higher achieving pupils, whilst catering for those that need extra support.

In addition to weekly lessons, an annual Science Week is held, to give further focus to STEM within the school. Parents/carers are often involved in this week, so that children gain an understanding of the types of STEM careers available to them.

Science is given a high profile at Holy Trinity, and financial resources are budgeted in order to provide high-quality resources.