Mere School Curriculum Statement

At Mere School we believe all our children have the right to succeed, to have high aspirations for their future lives and develop who they are in a respectful and caring environment.  Our school ethos is firmly rooted in our school vision - 'We enjoy - we learn - we achieve'.

SCIENCE CURRICULUM 2014

Purpose of study

A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.
 

Aims

Mere School aims to ensure that all pupils:
 

• develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
• develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
• are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

At Mere Primary School we aim to develop the children’s natural curiosity about the environment and help them to seek explanations. Develop caring and sensitive attitudes towards living things and the environment. Encourage children to create hypotheses, design and carry out experiments, make observations and to record results. Encourage imagination, inspirational thinking and receptive minds. Use scientific methods of investigation and develop responsible attitudes to health and safety. Help children become independent learners.

Gardening

We aim to promote gardening in our school, according to research undertaken by the Royal Horticultural Society in 2010, ‘Gardening in school boosts child  development, teaches life skills and makes children healthier and happier’. As well as improving pupils’ confidence, resilience and responsibility the school garden can provide many curriculum opportunities such as increasing scientific knowledge and understanding, improving communication and problem solving skills and providing opportunity for physical activity. Gardening in schools can also encourage a caring and nurturing attitude to protecting our environment and a more sustainable lifestyle.