Science Curriculum Journey

Intent 

At Oakwood Junior school, we have designed our science curriculum with the intent that our children will develop an in-depth understanding of the world around them and an understanding of how major scientific ideas have played a vital role in society, to prepare them for life in an increasingly scientific and technological world. We recognise that science plays a vital role within our school community, with many parents and carers having professional careers within scientific fields and industries. We therefore embrace their expertise and recognise the valuable contributions that families can make to the delivery of an engaging science curriculum. Our aim is to build science capital for all our children, regardless of their background and starting point so that they are inspired to continue to use science in their everyday life, future education and careers.   

We will deliver a Science Curriculum that:    

• Builds upon prior knowledge and a progression of skills to ensure all children have a secure understanding and knowledge of key science concepts.

• Develops creativity and challenges all of our learners through outstanding and inclusive teaching practice.

• From Year 3 to Year 6, our pupils will build up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils are encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena.

• Inspires and excites our children through engaging practical sessions which are enriched with visits and visitors  . 

• Will develop aspirational learners with an awareness of the key role that science plays within our community and the world and the opportunities that this creates for future careers.   

• Encourages our children to be self-motivated, independent, curious and resilient learners by developing inquiry based skills and sessions.

• Encompasses outdoor learning to create meaningful experiences within their natural environment . 

Implementation

The curriculum is led and overseen by the science curriculum leader, who will regularly monitor, evaluate and review science teaching and learning, celebrating and sharing good practice. Formative assessments will be integrated into every day science teaching to ensure teachers have an in depth knowledge of the children’s learning and inform their next steps. Low stakes testing of science will also inform termly assessments and allow for long term memory development and secure understanding of skills. 

The National Curriculum 2014 and ‘Tig tag’ online planning, provide the basis for our science curriculum, which is then tailored to meet the learning and developmental needs of the children in our school.  

Teachers will plan science using the newly developed progression of skills document which will allow children to build upon prior knowledge and understanding. This document will also outline the Working Scientifically skills, which teachers will use to plan enquiry-based lessons which will support children’s journeys to become independent and resilient learners.

The teaching, learning and sequencing of science will follow a blocked curriculum approach which has been implemented to ensure coverage and progression in all subject areas. Science will be taught discretely through termly science weeks, culminating in a week STEM project for all year groups in the summer term. 

Knowledge organisers will be developed and introduced for teachers and pupils to use for each topic for reference and assessment purposes. This will map out the knowledge, vocabulary and skills needed to master the concepts as well as including suggestions for links to outdoor learning and enquiry-based sessions. 

Our bank of parents who have a scientific background will be contacted and invited into school when relevant to discuss their careers and support the teaching of different science topics. A science letter will be sent out to our Year 3 parents at the start of the academic year to establish new parent links.

Impact 

• Children will become resilient, independent and curious scientists who ask questions and find things out for themselves.  

• Science will be a high profile subject throughout the school. 

• Children will be enthusiastic and motivated scientific learners. 

• The outdoor classroom will be utilised regularly throughout science lessons. 

• Parents and the wider community will support science learning through trips and visits on regular basis.  

• Children will have an awareness of the full range of scientific careers and pathways available to them and will be keen to pursue STEM subjects at secondary school. 

• Children will leave for secondary school equipped with the science knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their further education.