Science

At St Charles, we strive to foster our pupils’ natural curiosity about the world around them by providing them with the opportunities and skills needed to become innovative and critical thinkers who question and investigate the things they wonder about.

At St. Charles, Science is valued by staff, pupils and governors as a core curriculum subject. In Science we provide opportunities for all pupils to develop an understanding of the key concepts outlined in the National Curriculum Programmes of Study, by exploring their use in different areas. These include the natural and physical sciences, environmental issues, technological applications and also health related matters.

We follow the objectives of the National Curriculum and plan our units to ensure a coherent progress across the year groups: knowledge is built upon throughout the school. Science is taught as a separate lesson but cross-curricular links are made explicit to help children understand that science encompasses every aspect of our daily lives. Our science curriculum is designed to be inclusive; therefore, lessons are planned to be accessible to all.

At St. Charles, we believe that the investigative process and an understanding of its applications are necessary in order for the children to have a strong structure in which to accumulate scientific knowledge.

We encourage children to raise questions rather than accept facts unchallenged. We believe in promoting the ability to predict, hypothesise, observe and measure. Careful manipulation of variables to perform a fair test and evaluation of available evidence are also essential investigative skills to foster in the primary classroom.

Above all we attempt to engender the enjoyment and excitement of discovery and the ability to solve practical problems, while at the same time developing an awareness of the moral dilemmas in society which scientific advances may cause.

We believe that we must encourage our pupils to be responsible members of society, and to develop a healthy respect towards themselves, others and all living plants and creatures in our world. Sex education is cross-curricular with PHSE and covered within a year 6 Relationships Conference. The Conference covers the concepts of creation, Images of self and others, Puberty, sexual relationships and conception, marriage and bereavement. The Conference was described by Ofsted as an outstanding resource.

Science Week is celebrated each year with science based workshops  and a whole school competition.