Science

Intent

The science department at Priory has a curriculum based on the following statement of intent:

To create scientifically literate students who can engage in scientific discussion, and to transform the way they see the world

This is based on Michael Young’s idea of ‘powerful knowledge’ and Matthew Arnold’s ‘best that has been thought and said’ – scientific knowledge and understanding handed down from generation to generation is the entitlement of all children, and the world cannot truly be understood without it.

Through science, students will:

1. Build powerful knowledge that allows them to understand the importance and application of science within their everyday lives.  This will be built in a logical and coherent sequence based on the previous key stage.
2. Develop LORIC skills as appropriate to science.
3. Develop understanding of the links within science and between science and other subjects (see below).
4. Build long term knowledge though he use of space retrieval and low stakes quizzing in a well sequenced curriculum.
5. Be able to engage in scientific conversations within and beyond their school experience (tier two and three scientific vocabulary), including those related to moral and ethical decisions
6. Encourage lifelong learning and enthuse young people to engage in a rapidly changing world
7. Develop skills that allow students to engage productively in practical work
8. Be able to interpret data (graphs, tables, etc) and reach conclusions
9. Be able to identify the relevance of science in their lives at a local, national and international scale.  Trips, visits, speakers etc will all be used to enhance this.
10. Understand that science is an international, multicultural pursuit.
11. Be well prepared for their year 11 GCSE exams.

This subject has links to:

• Maths (graphs; calculations; percentages; standard form, etc.).
• Geography (Earth science)
• Food (microbes; food molecules, etc)
• History (development of periodic table and atomic structure; historical context of scientific discoveries)
• RE – religious links to past and present science, moral and ethical decisions, etc.
• DT – product design and material science