Purpose of Study:

A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has and continues to change our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, process and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupil 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 overarching aim for science education is to encourage pupils to:

• Develop a sense of curiosity and excitement for scientific learning and discovery;
• Increase their knowledge and understanding of our world;
• Recognise the importance of science in all aspects of their daily lives;
• Develop the skills needed to find answers to their own questions using an appropriate process of enquiry;
• Have a natural curiosity and inquisitive minds;
• Extend their scientific knowledge beyond the classroom.

Intent:

At Grange Junior School, our vision is to provide children with a science curriculum which enables them to confidently explore, discover and respect the world around them to encourage a deeper understanding of the world we live in. We aim to create fun, challenging and stimulating Science lessons - that are accessible to all - to nurture children’s natural curiosity and their on-going development. This will be delivered through both substantive and disciplinary knowledge. We intend to deliver high-quality teaching and learning opportunities in a safe and supportive environment that inspires all especially disadvantaged pupils, those with SEND, those who are known (or previously known) to children’s social care and those who face other barriers to their learning and/or well-being (though carefully planned support and scaffolding).

Each year group will have different disciplinary skills to work and build on each year and substantive objectives which together will help to promote our curiosity, resilience and enquiry within each topic. This will all be developed through a predominately hands-on, enquiry-based curriculum which promotes questions, challenge, working practically, investigating, discussion, making choices working independently and in groups as well as using key scientific vocabulary. We aim to promote a love and buzz for science in our school through our lessons but also through Science Days, local Science links in our community, STEM activities and other Science opportunities. Through science lessons we can also improve pupils’ skills in literacy, numeracy and ICT, promote pupils’ awareness and understanding of gender, culture, spiritual and moral issues as well as many other cross curriculum opportunities. Finally, our science teaching links closely to our school’s values: Respect, nurture, challenge, resilience and safety.

Implementation:

At Grange Junior School, we ensure high standards of teaching and learning in science. We follow a coherently planned and sequenced curriculum so that pupils build knowledge and skills sequentially and cumulatively across the key stage meeting the aims of the national curriculum which is progressive throughout the school. We have tweaked our curriculum sequence to work specifically for our school, other subject topics, trips and visits that will complement our learning in science. We follow the Hampshire Science curriculum objectives for substantive and disciplinary knowledge which is continuously being reviewed and updated in line with the national curriculum objectives. At the beginning of each topic and lesson, we reflect on previous learning to ensure we have retained the prior knowledge we will need to build on and progress forward. We complete a knowledge overview at the start and end of our topic and this helps us to visualise what we have learnt and how we have developed our understanding and vocabulary through each topic. Our teachers encourage awe and wonder through exciting science planning, modelling, questioning and ensure all children are aware of the amazing world around us as we recognise some children may lack these experiences outside of school. Key scientific vocabulary is used, modelled and taught throughout lessons and topics enabling our children to become familiar with Scientific language and use it accurately and confidently. Teachers are also encouraged to plan trips and visitors to enhance our children’s learning experience when possible. Once a year, the whole school participates in Science week. A theme runs across the school, with children investigating, discussing and enjoy Science activities. Teachers aim to deliver science lessons in many different ways using ICT and other engaging resources to help remove barriers and provide equal learning opportunities to all learners so the best possible outcomes can be achieved.

Impact:

Children at Grange Junior School enjoy and are enthusiastic about Science. They are equipped with scientific skills and are confident to use and explain scientific vocabulary and methods. Children show curiosity and can ask questions about their learning and reflect on their knowledge. There is a clear progression of children’s work which is evident in each child’s individual science book as well as photos, videos, displays, big books etc. As confidence develops, children become increasingly confident to complete pupil led investigations and discuss results and findings even if they don’t go to plan. They can evaluate their work and looking for areas of success and development. The outcomes of pupils will be monitored by class teacher and subject lead through assessment, marking, tracking, book scrutiny and pupil interviews. Teachers clarify misconceptions as and when they arise.