Why is Science part of the RFA curriculum?

At the RFA we believe science should develop and inform the way children understand the modern world. It should be interesting, exciting and motivating. Hands-on, practical science encourages children to explore their natural curiosity and build their confidence when thinking critically and problem solving, appreciating that we do not always know the answers and results when carrying out scientific enquiry. At the RFA we are committed to inspiring young minds and creating enthusiastic and skilled investigators.

Our aim is to:

• Prepare our children for life in an increasingly scientific and technological world.
• Learn how to make positive changes and care for our environment.
• Help children to acquire a growing understanding of scientific ideas.
• Help develop and extend our children's scientific concept of their world.
• Develop our children's understanding of the international and collaborative nature of science and how this can break down barriers.  
• Provide children with an enjoyable experience of science, so that they will develop a deep and lasting interest and be motivated to study further.
• Improve English and Maths skills and develop specific and precise language and vocabulary.
• Encourage children to develop ways of finding answers for themselves and to allow them to investigate problem solving.

How do we teach Science at RFA?

While at the RFA, children are encouraged to develop positive attitudes towards science and embrace open-mindedness, self-assessment, perseverance, collaboration and responsibility. Lessons are purposeful, well managed and enjoyable, whilst teachers use skilful questioning to deepen thinking and encourage curiosity. Lessons are designed to promote practical science and ‘working scientifically’ skills alongside the development of knowledge and specific scientific language. 

Children are taught the foundations of physics, biology and chemistry and how to make clear links with other subject areas, including: Maths, English and ICT. At the RFA we run an annual ‘STEM Week’, which varies in theme each year, but is always started with a WOW event to capture students’ imaginations.

What is taught as part of the Science curriculum?

EYFS

In EYFS, children are supported in developing their knowledge, skills and understanding, helping them to make sense of the world. Their learning will be supported by offering them opportunities that allow them to use a range of tools safely, encounter creatures, people, plants and objects in their natural environments, in real-life situations and undertake practical experiments. Children are encouraged, from an early age, to predict, observe, problem-solve and start to give simple explanations about what they have found. 

KS1 and KS2

All lessons in KS1 and 2 follow the National Curriculum objectives and are taught weekly. These objectives are matched to the Cornerstones Curriculum topics that the pupils are covering, where meaningful. Children are taught practical scientific skills - observation, measuring, predicting, hypothesising, experimenting, communicating, interpreting, explaining and evaluating to ensure progression in these skills throughout their time at the RFA.

The curriculum map outlines the topic areas taught in each year group with the working scientifically strands covered.  As part of our Cornerstones Programme, children undertake ‘Love to Investigate’ enquiries, which are a series of comprehensive investigations to develop and improve investigative skills, reinforce subject knowledge and link directly to the learning children have been doing in both science and their topic.

Science Road Maps

To help you understand the sequential progression in science learning from one year group to another, we have produced roadmap for each strand of science.  Please click any of the documents below for a more detailed explanation of how concepts will be built upon from year to year.