'I love science because you find out amazing things doing experiments!'

Kian, Year 4

Intent

Science at St John’s is a subject that enhances curiosity, wonder and questioning, building on their natural inclination to seek meaning and understanding of the world around them. Scientific investigation develops understanding through practical activity and encourages critical and creative thought. An important aspect of science at St John’s is for the children to learn and use scientific vocabulary in the correct context, both while in discussion during practical investigation and also when recording their findings. Children will develop a range of experiences allowing them to make connections between new and previous learning that will not only bring excitement and satisfaction but also the realisation that they can add to their knowledge through active enquiry. Children are encouraged to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings and a love of science is nurtured through a whole school ethos and a varied enquiry based curriculum. 

At St. John’s, we have high expectations for all learners: the curriculum is adapted so that all learners can access their learning through scaffolds, discussions, peer support, questioning and also the use of Seesaw to capture learning to ensure that science is focus of the activity.

Implementation

Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all pupils are capable of achieving high standards in science. The whole school overview for science ensures progression across school of knowledge and understanding. Themes and concepts are developed and embedded from EYFS to Year 6, building on what has been taught before to ensure learning is transferred to pupils’ long term memory. Teachers plan for problem solving and enquiry based opportunities that enable children to find out for themselves and extend their thinking. Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and are given opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to discover the answers. Planning involves teachers creating practical, engaging lessons with opportunities for precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess children to identify those children with gaps in learning.

Impact

Through our successful teaching of science at St John’s, children enjoy and value their engaging, high-quality science education, which provides them with the foundations for understanding the world, that they can take with them once they complete their primary education. Staff use their observational skills and thorough questioning to continuously ensure that their teaching is meeting the needs of the learners and to help plan for their next steps. The assessment outcomes are equally weighted and focus on the child’s holistic development in science. We assess the impact of our science curriculum through teacher assessment and analysis of this by the subject leader. Staff use observations, floor books of children’s responses and videos/recordings of investigations and enquiry based work, stored on Seesaw, to assess pupils’ ability in science across the curriculum. Using a variety of approaches to assessment ensures that all pupils, including SEN, are not disadvantaged by the means of assessment.

The science subject leader is assured of the accuracy of the judgements made through moderation and professional dialogue with staff, through observation, by reviewing evidence on Seesaw and by speaking to children about their work in science.