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Science

Science encourages pupils to explore through planning and carrying out their own investigations, making learning creative, hands-on and fun.
Our Science Curriculum

Exploration through planning and investigation

Overview
Subject Statement

Intent

What do we aim to do?
Lindley Junior School, science is taught in an exciting and stimulating way so that it challenges and inspires pupils to search for answers; to explore the world around them and communicate their findings. We aim to relate science to everyday life and pupil’s first-hand experience. Our principal aim is to develop pupils’ scientific knowledge, skills, and concepts, whilst encouraging them to be investigative in a systematic and logical way.

Implementation

How do we achieve our goals?

Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following:
Science will be taught in planned and arranged topic blocks by the class teacher, to have a project-based approach. This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge. Planned problem solving opportunities allow pupils to apply their knowledge and find out answers for themselves. Pupils are encouraged to ask questions and are given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. This curiosity is celebrated within the classroom.


We build upon the knowledge and skill development of the previous years. As the pupils’ knowledge and understanding increases, and they become more proficient in selecting, using scientific equipment, collating and interpreting results, they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to come to conclusions based on real evidence. Working Scientifically skills are embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout the pupils’ school career and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching. This is developed through the years, in-keeping with the topics.


Teachers demonstrate how to use scientific equipment, and the various Working Scientifically skills in order to embed scientific understanding. Teachers find opportunities to develop pupils’ understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning and workshops with experts.


Pupils are offered a wide range of extra-curricular activities, STEM Club, Gardening Club, Cookery Club, visits, trips and visitors to complement and broaden the curriculum. These are purposeful and link with the knowledge being taught in class.
Regular events, such as Science/STEM Week or project days, Children Challenging Industry, allow all pupils to come off-timetable, to provide broader provision and the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills. These events often involve families and the wider community.

Impact

How will we know we have achieved our aims?
This successful approach at Lindley Junior School results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education, that provides pupils with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world. Our engagement with the local environment ensures that pupils learn through varied and first hand experiences of the world around them. Learning outside the classroom is embedded throughout the science curriculum. Through various workshops, visits and interactions with experts and the community, pupils have the understanding that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity. Pupils learn about careers in science, as a result of our community links with national agencies such as Yorkshire Water, Denfords, David Browns, and STEM ambassadors. Pupils have the opportunity to learn and work with professionals, ensuring that they have access to positive role models within the field of science. Pupils thoroughly enjoy science and this results in motivated learners with sound scientific understanding.

Assessment

Pupils’ progress is continually monitored throughout their time at Lindley Junior School and is used to inform future teaching and learning. By the end of each key stage, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the relevant programme of study as set out in the National Curriculum. These are set out as statutory requirements. We also draw on the non-statutory requirements to provide an appropriate level of challenge for our pupils.
Pupils receive effective feedback through teacher assessment, both orally and through written feedback in line with the success criteria. Assessment for learning is continuous throughout the planning, teaching and learning cycle.


Examples:

  • Pupils identify what they know already about each topic, as well as what they would like to know.
  • Observing pupils at work, individually, in pairs, in a group, and in classes.
  • Questioning, talking and listening to pupils
  • Use of a variety of assessment questions that can be used pre, during and post topic.