Science
All children are naturally curious. Our rich science curriculum nurtures this curiosity and ongoing intellectual development to instil all pupils with a drive and passion for scientific enquiry, to test and challenge ideas and relate their findings to the world around them.
Intent
At JKPS, we believe that a high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future survival, and all pupils should receive a science curriculum that enables them to:
- think independently and raise questions about working scientifically
- understand the knowledge and skills that questioning brings
- be confident and competent in the full range of practical skills, taking the initiative in planning and carrying out scientific investigations
- attain excellent scientific knowledge and understanding and demonstrate this in written and verbal explanations, solving challenging problems and reporting scientific findings
- develop the ability to undertake practical work in a variety of contexts, including fieldwork
- nurture a passion for science and its application in past, present and future technologies
The children are posed with real life questions which are linked to their creative curriculum, this in turn enables the children to build upon and develop their understanding of processes and acquire knowledge in a systematic way. The curriculum is planned so that all children are exposed to high quality teaching and learning experiences, which allow children to explore their outdoor environment and locality, thus developing their scientific enquiry and investigative skills. 
Woven into every unit are opportunities to look at how children build a sustainable future and each year there is a whole unit based on outdoor learning. Intra curriculum links have been woven throughout to ensure that concepts are continually built upon and revisited through our continuous provision, ensuring that appropriate schemata are developed across the year. They are immersed in scientific vocabulary, which aids their knowledge and understanding not only of the topic they are studying, but of the world around them. Regardless of ethnic origin, gender, class, aptitude or disability, we provide all children with a broad and balanced science curriculum and promote equity through celebrating those individual who overcome barriers to be leads in their chosen field.
Implementation
The planning and teaching of the science curriculum is designed to build upon knowledge and processes taught in previous units and year groups. Teachers use JKPS bespoke knowledge organisers, alongside the school’s science progression framework, to plan and teach key concepts and scientific enquiry skills. This is done in a progressive manner to support the acquisition and accumulation of knowledge.
New vocabulary is summarised in knowledge organisers and is taught explicitly to children, teaching the meaning of homonyms where necessary. Retrieval practice techniques are used to help children to memorise key concepts for use in future science lessons and across the curriculum, children begin all lessons with a prior learning activity which build upon their previous experiences. Continuous provision is woven throughout each year group, where children revisit, build upon prior learning and develop their schemata.
When teaching practical science, teachers combine demonstrations with opportunities for children to carry out their own investigations, gaining hands-on experience handling scientific equipment and materials. Children are assessed through continual ongoing teacher assessment and low stake quizzes. Where misconceptions arise, these are revisited in prior learning questions which are found in every lesson. At the end of each unit, children’s learning assessed through an independent extended piece of writing in an attempt for them to demonstrate the knowledge and understanding they have gained throughout the unit as well as to make use their newly acquired scientific vocabulary.
Our science curriculum provides the foundations for our children for understanding the world they live in. Through building up a body of knowledge and key concepts, our children develop a sense of excitement and curiosity, they understand how science can be used to explain what has occurred, predict how things will behave and analyse the causes.
Impact
Our children understand the value of science and enjoy working scientifically. They are able to communicate their ideas and findings with confidence and using different styles. Our children have a passion for science and engage enthusiastically in their learning. As a result, they achieve well and are keen to continue studying science as they move on to the next stage of their education.
Through our intra-curriculum, children demonstrate what they know and how they can apply this knowledge. They draw upon prior learning and link it to current and future learning.