Science

at Sawley Junior School

Intent

What do we want SJS children to learn?

At Sawley Junior School, our children are scientists!

Our intent is to give every child a broad and balanced Science curriculum which enables them to confidently explore what is around them, so they have a deeper understanding of the world we live in. We want our children to love science. We want them to have no limits to what their aspirations might be and embrace the scientific opportunities that are open to them.

Sawley Junior School’s Science curriculum is designed to enable all children to succeed and recognise the importance of Science in explaining the world around them.

Science at Sawley Junior School aims to provide the children with the knowledge they need to explain the world around them and how this knowledge is gathered through scientific enquiry.

The national curriculum for Science aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
• Develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them.
• Are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

We aim to provide opportunities for children to develop a sense of natural curiosity whilst gaining confidence in developing skills associated with Science as a process of enquiry.

Implementation

How do we achieve our Intent?

Sawley Junior School science curriculum is mapped out to ensure children have the opportunity to learn, practise and refine new scientific skills progressively as well as acquiring key scientific knowledge as they move through school.

Linked knowledge organisers and specific scientific vocabulary support the children’s learning within each unit. Science teaching at Sawley Junior School involves adapting and extending the curriculum to match all children’s needs. At Sawley Junior School, teachers create a positive attitude to Science learning within their classrooms.

Activities planned are based on a progressively to deepen knowledge and understanding. For example:

In Year 3, 4, 5 and 6, pupils all learn about ‘Animals Including Humans’ in Science.

• In Year 3, pupils focus on identifying animals (and humans), nutrition and having an understanding that humans and animals have different skeletons and muscles.
• In Year 4, pupils focus on the digestive system, teeth and food chains.
• In Year 5, pupils focus on puberty.
• In Year 6, pupils focus on human circulatory system, the functions of the heart, blood vessels, blood, the impact of diet, exercise, drugs, lifestyle and nutrients and water.

Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of Science involves:

• A clear, comprehensive scheme of work, in line with the national curriculum.
• Science being planned and taught in a coherent order and progressive way in order to build upon previous learning and skills development throughout children’s time at school. 
• Children having access to key language in order to apply scientific vocabulary/explanation to their written work.

• The promotion of enquiry-based learners with children being given the opportunities to use their scientific skills and research to acquire scientific knowledge.
• Reflecting on previous learning and making cross curricular links wherever possible.

All staff are supported by the Senior Leadership team and the Science Subject Leader.  In addition, Willows Academy Trust subject leaders hold cluster meetings half-termly working together to meet the aims and vision of the Trust.