In Science, we aim to produce resilient, inquisitive, confident learners willing to 'give things a go'. We will do this by systematically teaching conceptual understanding of the key domains of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. These will be taught alongside the disciplinary knowledge and inquiry skills required to 'approach things scientifically'. 

Through a carefully sequenced curriculum, pupils will build a base of knowledge and skills and will be challenged to apply them to new situations. 

Science builds ASPIRATION by:

Challenging pupils to develop their own ideas and theories of what science will look like in the future and how they will play a part e.g. In conservation, renewable energy.

Encouraging them to aspire to higher education to gain future employment by asking volunteers to come into school and talk about careers in science.

Science builds BELIEF by:

Allowing pupils to explore how science and essentially how they fit into the wider world. Encouraging them to have a belief that they too can make a difference however big or small that may be.

Enabling them to value differences in opinions (– past and present theories in science)

Science builds CREATIVITY by:

Allowing pupils to research topical science-related news stories and then they present in a way that best suits them. 

• Learning from each other – peer example of work/peer marking.
• Devising their own methods that are doable and safe.

Allowing time for creativity in their planning and execution of practical work.

St Michael’s is a Rights Respecting school which believes that supporting children’s development of character and values, including the core British values of democracy, mutual respect, liberty and the rule of law, is an essential part of equipping young people to thrive as citizens in the world of the future. Science actively supports this by:

•  Researching British scientists and their impact on the world.
• Teaching tolerance and mutual respect of other points of view when covering topics to do with evolution   (versus creation), selective breeding, stem cell research, animal testing …
•  Respecting the order and beauty in nature
•  Using evidence to build arguments that are respectful of others e.g. when understanding damage smoking can do to our health
• Encouraging teamwork and sharing ideas when preparing experiments
•  Valuing mistakes as a means to a new understanding

If you are working well in this subject these are the skills you are learning:

•  Problem-solving
•  Reasoning (logical arguments)
•  Numeracy (further develop their skills in using maths)
•  Practical skills (planning and executing experiments, using equipment safely)
•  Communication (using technical language/presenting research in a style that suits the individual)
•  ICT
•  Creativity (generating ideas)

If you like this subject then these are some of the jobs you can go on to:

•  healthcare – doctor/nurse/care assistant/optician/physiotherapist …
•  Research – new materials/medicine …
•  environmental conservation – fauna and flora …
•  biotechnology – artificial limbs/development of equipment …
•  forensic science
•  business – pharmaceutical …
•  economics …

To name a few.