At Ryhope Junior School, we believe that science stimulates and excites children’s curiosity about events in the world around them. It also satisfies their curiosity with knowledge. Because science links practical experiences with ideas, it engages learners at many levels.

We believe that science will lead our children to a better understanding of themselves and the world. It provides opportunities to appreciate scientific facts and concepts and to experience scientific discovery.

Science at Ryhope Junior School is about developing children’s ideas and ways of working that enable them to make sense of the world in which they live through investigation, as well as using and applying process skills.

Intent

What are we trying to achieve through our curriculum…

• To engage children as learners at many levels through linking ideas with practical experience.
• Help children to learn to question and discuss scientific issues that may affect their own lives.
• Help children develop, model and evaluate explanations through scientific methods of collecting evidence using critical and creative thought.
• Show children how major scientific ideas contribute to technological change and how this impacts on improving the quality of our everyday lives.
• Help children recognise the cultural significance of science and trace its development.
• To increase each child’s knowledge and understanding of the world.
• To develop attitudes of curiosity, co-operation, resilience, open-mindedness, responsibility and independence in thinking.
• To enable children to effectively and confidently communicate their scientific predictions and discoveries as they are given the opportunity to observe, describe, illustrate, hypothesise, evaluate and interpret, using appropriate scientific vocabulary.
• To develop children’s understanding of the effects of their actions on the environment.
• To consider science, or STEM linked careers, as a possible future choice for them in their working lives.

Implementation

How our curriculum is delivered…

At Ryhope Junior School, scientific method is about developing and evaluating explanations through experimental evidence and modelling. Through science, children can understand how major scientific ideas contribute to technological change – impacting on industry, business and medicine and improving the quality of life. Children recognise the cultural significance of science and trace its world-wide development. They learn to question and discuss science-based issues that may affect their own lives, the direction of society and the future of the world, particularly in a current world that is so fuelled by science and scientific discovery.

Our teachers aim to present science in practical contexts which are relevant to the children's experiences. This will involve learning in class, group and individual situations. Some content is taught directly but enlivened through practical demonstrations. Small group activities follow on from class discussion and encourage collaboration. Where possible, children are encouraged to investigate their own questions, making decisions for themselves and maintaining a high level of motivation. Children communicate their findings in a variety of ways including through written work and verbally.

At Ryhope Junior School, we aim to use technology in science. When possible and appropriate, children are given the opportunity to practice science skills and enhance their presentation using software. We can use technology for enquiry work, including iPads, microscopes, video capture of images and activities, and data logging.

Science is celebrated around the school through displays of work as well as on our website and social media feeds. We use cross-curricula links to science with, for example, Maths, English and design and technology. We develop science informally through our Careers Benchmark Primary Pilot, Skills Builder scheme and educational visits.

At Ryhope Junior School, we aim to teach science in ways that are imaginative, purposeful, well managed and enjoyable. Teachers will give clear and accurate explanations and offer skilful questioning, whilst making links between science and other subjects.

Additionally, the practical nature of science is recognised and opportunities for learning through first-hand experiences should be provided. Science plays an important role in the development of investigative skills and draws upon strong mathematical links, for example measurement, pattern recognition, graphical skills and data handling. Curricula links to other areas, for example, language, are recognised and developed.

Impact

The difference our curriculum is making…
The impact and measure of this is to ensure children not only acquire the appropriate age-related knowledge linked to the science curriculum, but also skills which equip them to progress from their starting points, and within their everyday lives.

All children will have:

• A wider variety of skills linked to both scientific knowledge and understanding, and scientific enquiry/investigative skills.
• A richer vocabulary which will enable to articulate their understanding of taught concepts.
• High aspirations, which will see them through to further study, work and a successful adult life.