St Thomas More Catholic Primary School
Inspiration, Celebration and Education
Children at St Thomas More have an enthusiasm for Gods natural world around them and the Science that underpins this.
Children are empowered to act, think and undertake learning as a scientist might to ensure that learning is purposeful and engaging.
Children will be provided with a ‘hand’s on’ enquiry-based curriculum where they will experience the joy of having wonderful ideas, exploration and investigation.
Children are provided with a stimulating knowledge based Science curriculum that nurtures children’s natural curiosity and intellectual development.
There is a whole school ethos of understanding and caring for the world around us and an understanding of our responsibility towards both the immediate and the wider environment and community.
Our school grounds are used as a rich resource which we can utilise to inspire and effectively meet the requirements of the EYFS Framework and National Curriculum Programmes of Study. Wellie Wednesday is a regular time for our EYFS children to explore the natural world around them.
Accurate and timely assessments of how well pupils develop their understanding of Science concepts are used, including an initial baseline on the topic and an assessment at the end, so that teaching can be responded to and extend pupils’ learning.
To learn more about our science topics this year, please see the overview below:
In addition to celebrating interesting science topics the children also learn about influential, key scientific thinkers during their topics to broaden their knowledge and understanding of all that is related to Science in the ever developing world around them.
At St Thomas More we aim to make Science as fun and enjoyable for the children as we can, in order for them to develop a love for the subject and deep interest in the world around them. We organise lots of Science events and days for the children to get fully immersed with Science including visitors and workshops.
Year 1 started the day by visiting Pre-School where they learnt all about growing up and how we change through the years. They then came back to Year 1 where they used their sense of smell to guess what was in each mystery container - from vinegar to garlic, from chocolate to minty toothpaste. They ended the day visiting Reception where they learnt that a Scientist can look like anyone!
This activity was designed to get us thinking about fingerprints. We wanted to find out if everyone's fingerprints really are different. We compared different fingerprints and looked for patterns. We used a tablets to zoom in and study our fingerprints closely.
At the end of the day our thoughts were:
Sight
We explored what would happen when we tried to put our jumper on without our sense of sight - It was very tricky!
Touch/Feel
We explored which object was the coldest - The ice pack was.
Smell
We tested which smelt the nicest, the carrot or the pear - we decided it was the pear.
Taste
We tasted lemon - it was VERY sour!
Hear
The drum was the loudest instrument.
Y5 - Virtual STEM event about Gliders or Rockets, run by The Smallpeice Trust.
Whole School Science Week - 13th March.
Trip to Cheltenham Science Festival for Year 4 - 8th June