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: The national curriculum for science 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

Intent:

At Grange Junior School, science is taught with questioning and problem solving at its heart. The scientific method is integral to our science teaching not only because it is a vital tool to help us understand the world but also because it is a fundamental skill that can be used to support and enrich other elements of the curriculum leading to high quality outcomes. It is through becoming a ‘scientist’ that children really gain the fundamental behaviours of learning; through repeated use of the scientific method, children will become fluent at turning their everyday curiosity into scientific thought. This is where children get to feel and share the excitement and passion of that eureka moment!

Implementation:

The science long-term plan ensures a coherent, broad and balanced curriculum is offered across the Key Stage. The subject manager and year group teachers plan units of work. These often link to other curriculum areas. A sequence of lessons build upon skills, knowledge and understanding. Staff development, informed by monitoring, ensures that teachers have good subject knowledge to enable them to deliver high quality lessons, leading to high quality outcomes. A planned yearly science week provides opportunity for the whole school to work collaboratively solving problems, enriching their overall experience. Trips and special events serve to widen children’s science experiences and where possible include the children displaying, celebrating and sharing their own work

Impact:

The science subject manager carries out termly monitoring in the form of book scrutiny and pupil conferencing. This information is used to establish the effectiveness of planning, teaching and learning for that term and provides points for further professional development within the subject, either on an individual, cohort or whole school level. Pupils are provided with oral and written feedback in science books using our topic bookends, detailing strengths and areas for development against the learning objectives and key skills and knowledge for the piece/unit of work. Planning can then be adapted as necessary for groups/individuals. At the end of a unit of work, children are assessed against the key skills, using the school’s agreed assessment sheets Children have planned opportunities to share and celebrate their work with their families and a written report is provided annually.