Science

INTENT

Our intent is to encourage a scientific way of thinking and enquiry, to develop independent learners, and extend the students’ repertoire of skills through practical experience that prepares them for their life beyond school. We aim to capture the awe and wonder of the subject to enhance learner’s experience and understanding of the scientific world that surrounds them on a local and global level.

Our mission is to deliver the most exciting, stimulating, and creative curriculum possible, encouraging pupils to build confidence through engaging in their learning. We strive to produce the Scientists of the future who have high expectations of themselves and each other to work collaboratively, respectfully and fairly as a team.

For more information on the structure of the science curriculum, please refer to our science learning journeys and also the termly topic overviews which can be located below.

BIG IDEAS

The purpose of science is to attempt to explain all-natural phenomena on the planet and beyond. Harnessing children’s natural curiosity about the world around them, we provide opportunities to question, investigate, analyse, evaluate and present findings in order to do this. We intend to create a culture of critical thinkers who question and challenge the scientific information presented to them.

Children’s development of enquiry skills is intrinsic to the teaching and learning of “Big Ideas*” which contain key concepts across the Scientific disciplines that we deliver. The progression of knowledge and understanding of each big idea is built up by a series of key concepts across the year groups to ensure coverage of the national curriculum. These concepts are regularly revisited to ensure knowledge is retained and any potential misconceptions addressed.

*Green = Biology, Orange = Chemistry and Purple = Physics.

LEARNING JOURNEYS

SCIENCE FACULTY FACILITIES

At St Edward’s Church of England Academy, we are privileged to teach four lessons of science a week to KS3 and three lessons to KS2. Each science specialist member of staff teaches in one of our four purpose-built laboratories. All laboratories are fully equipped with an array of practical equipment to support the delivery a curriculum that incorporates hands-on learning.

CULTURAL CAPITAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Amongst the wide variety of clubs at St Edward’s, the science department offers extra-curricular activities in the form of Key Stage 2 Science club which is run with the help of our dedicated year 8 science leaders.  A whole host of fun activities take place throughout the year in accordance with national events to broaden pupils’ enjoyment and appreciation of science in the real world we live in. This includes participation in the national CREST award that includes challenging and thought-provoking real-world STEM projects.

At St Edward’s we offer to learn science outside of the classroom in our STEAM club. In this club, you will learn how Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics can be used to tackle real life scenarios, as well as entering the national First Tech Challenge robotics competition. In the FIRST Tech Challenge, you will learn to think like an engineer. Teams of pupils design, build, and code robots to compete against other teams across the country and maybe even internationally at the higher levels!   

If nature is more your thing then join the Wildlife Explorer club. In this club, you will discover more about the nature around us and work with the RSPB charity to help to protect it. In this club, you will take part in nature activities, craft-making, competitions, and challenges, as well as receiving a regular magazine filled with activities. We live in wild times and we need wild explorers!

Join us for our
next open event

Find out more here