Science
At Jesse Gray, we aim to prepare children for life in an increasingly scientific world; encouraging them to be inquisitive about the universe and respectful of all living things. We hope to broaden the children’s aspirations and inspire them to see a future for themselves as a scientist both through our curriculum studies, and through meeting and learning about real life scientists. We hope to develop a sense of excitement; enjoyment and a willingness to ask questions through practical, engaging activities designed to bring science to life. We believe that high-quality science education is essential, so it is paramount that our children engage with a science curriculum that excites and inspires them.
Through our teaching, the pupils who leave our school able to:
- 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 enquiries that help them to answer questions about the world around them.
- be equipped with the scientific skills required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future. We understand that it is important for lessons to have a skills-based focus, and that the knowledge can be taught through this.
Implementation:
The National Curriculum provides a structure and skill development for the Science curriculum being taught throughout the school, which is developed through a progression of knowledge and skills, key vocabulary and five types of enquiry:
- fair testing
- observing over time
- use of secondary sources
- pattern seeking
- identifying and classifying
Each class has a weekly 1- 1.5 hour Science lesson. In KS1 and KS2 children’s written work is shown in their Science books. In addition, each class has a whole class Exploration Book to record skills-based lessons and whole class investigations.
In Key Stage 1, each year group undertakes four units, spread over 3 terms, while Key Stage 2 classes cover five units of learning (as outlined in the Science progression map). Each lesson aims to answer one of the Big Questions in science and is based on a story, book or poem where possible. Our curriculum allows children to make links to everyday experiences and the environment around them. It gives all children the opportunity to be curious and to develop observational skills and independence when carrying out experiments.
Lessons are enquiry-based wherever possible, with topics being focused on pupils experimenting, investigating and being able to ask key questions to develop their understanding.
It is also important that pupils see themselves at scientists; each topic will have time to explore an important scientist who has had an impact on that particular area. Pupils will find out about how people become scientists and will be able to develop their own aspirations.
Additional opportunities are provided in Science, such as Science weeks and competitions, educational visits linked to our science studies, visitors to school, links to partner schools and partnerships within the Science and Engineering industry.
Science-based learning in the Early Years is mostly encompassed within the ‘Understanding the World’ area of learning but other areas of learning also develop the working scientifically skills needed to become a confident scientist. Characteristics of effective learning are of central importance, as good scientists need to be confident to play/explore, think critically and be active learners.
Impact:
A child leaving Jesse Gray, will be ready to embark on their secondary education with an understanding of what they are good at and the skills to help face any challenges.
We are able to measure the impact that our Science curriculum through monitoring which takes many forms:
- Continuous assessment through discussions with children during lessons.
- Assessment of prior knowledge through a short task at the beginning of each unit.
- Scientific knowledge can also be assessed through short tasks at the beginning of a lesson, through a final piece of writing to demonstrate understanding and through mini-quizzes at the end of a unit.
- Scientific skills are assessed through teacher observations in practical lessons and through one specific assessment task in each unit of work.
- Interviewing the children about their learning though pupil voice.
- Images of the children’s practical learning – these are often posted on our twitter feeds using the hashtag #ScienceatJG
This monitoring is used to inform subsequent learning.
