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    • About SJSJ
      • Headteacher’s Welcome
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Science

Science

Home > Curriculum  > Subjects > Science

Intent
At St John & St James’ Primary School, we intend for all children to develop a solid understanding of essential scientific knowledge, which can stimulate awe and wonder about the world around us. We believe science can have a transformative effect on children, helping them to become curious and inspired by the world around them. Based on the National Curriculum, our curriculum provides a rich enquiry-based learning programme, which covers all the core scientific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Practical experiences further strengthen our children’s understanding, vocabulary and scientific skills. We encourage children to be inspired by the work of great scientists and understand the contribution science has made to society, both past and present. At the end of year six, our children are confident and curious scientists, who have a secure basis for future scientific learning.

Implementation

Our curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and is carefully sequenced to enable children to build on their prior knowledge, acquire new knowledge and understand how and when they will build on and use this knowledge in future.

Early Years

Science in the foundation stage is covered in ‘Understanding the World’ strand of the Early Years Foundation Curriculum. We provide a stimulating environment where hands-on, enquiry-based activities nurture children’s curiosity and understanding of the world around them. All children have the opportunity to explore, problem solve, observe, predict, think, make decisions and talk about the world around them. In Nursery, the children are encouraged to explore the world around them by making initial observations, asking simple questions and predictive statements. In Reception, the children further develop their scientific skills by communicating their observations, making predictions and asking questions in more detail. Science in the Early Years inspires our children to continue to ask questions about the world around them and sets the children up to become avid scientists at the beginning of their schooling and for their future lives.

Key Stage One and Two

Science is taught every week throughout the academic year. In Key Stage Two, two science lessons are taught each week and one lesson is taught each week in Key Stage One.

Teachers use carefully sequenced, detailed medium term plans to plan lessons across the unit that will build on and develop the children’s knowledge and skills. Each unit of learning has a strong foundation in new knowledge – linked to prior knowledge – that will support the children to understand increasingly complex scientific phenomena and processes. Children across the school develop practical science skills in their science units throughout the year. They conduct a range of enquires under the categories of: observing phenomena over time, seeking patterns, conducting comparative and fair tests, conducting scientific research and identifying and classifying. Children engage in extended enquiries every half term where they deepen their understanding of scientific concepts and develop their practical scientific skills. Scientific vocabulary is mapped and taught rigorously to ensure that children can both recognise, understand and use scientific terminology accurately and confidently. Each unit is also linked to a scientist who has worked in that field to supports children’s understanding of science as a career.

Impact

The impact of our science curriculum can clearly been seen in the children’s books, on classroom displays and through various online platforms. At the beginning of each unit, a pre-unit assessment clearly identifies what the children already know and identifies any missed learning. Teacher can then use this initial assessment to plan to address any gaps. A detailed knowledge organiser outlines prior knowledge and when this was taught, the main learning objectives for the current unit and when the children will use this knowledge in future. On completion of the unit of work, children complete an end of unit assessment and receive feedback. Class teachers then use the children’s class learning and assessments, along with observations of their skills when carrying out investigations, to make a judgement as to whether each child is working at the expected level and to plan for next steps.

Trips and Visits

Various school trips are organised throughout the year to promote science learning in the wider curriculum. Examples of trips are visiting Clissold Park to go on a bug hunt, going to Hampstead Heath to investigate habitats and visiting the Science Museum. Science workshops in school are also delivered to further stimulate science learning and curiosity. Every year, we participate in British Science Week, where a variety of practical investigations are carried out. Experts from the STEM industry are regularly invited into school and have a direct impact on the children.

Science Curriculum Map

To view our Science curriculum map, please click here. 

Useful links

www.saps.org.uk/primary — a range of scientific investigations and explanation of terms.

www.kidsastronomy.com – astronomy and space.

www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science – a many science units explained.

https://explorify.wellcome.ac.uk/ – great to encourage curiosity.

https://jr.brainpop.com/science/ – good scientific quizzes and movies!

Science & STEAM News

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    Year 5 were invited to attend a science workshop at Cardinal Pole where they learnt to make a firework.   In science, Year 5 built on last week's...
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    What's happening in Year 2 - Week 4
    Year 2 have been learning about exercise and the benefits it has on our bodies in Science. They created their own exercise routines and measured their heart rate before and after complete in the exerc...
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    What's happening in Year 1 - Week 4
    Our Topic this term is animals including humans. Today we looked at the different animal groups and their characteristics. The children showed their fabulous scientific skills today and worked well in...
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    In science this term, Year 6 are learning all about 'Animals including Humans'. We are focusing our studies on the circulatory system and how we can manage factors that will affect it, for example ...
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    In science, Year 5 learnt about soluble and insoluble substances. We defined key scientific vocabulary before observing what happens when sugar and sand are mixed with water. We recorded our observati...
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    What's happening in Year 6 - Week 6
    This week, Year 6 launched their first STEAM project of the year, with a focus on construction. In the design brief, the children were asked to create a periscope for a submarine that could have been ...
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    What's happening in Year 5 - Week 6
    Year 5 have loved completing their STEAM week project this week! Year five focussed on making moving toys, which was based on a children's book. They integrated their science knowledge and used cams a...
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    What's happening in Year 4 - Week 6
    Year 4 have been working really hard to create an electronic game for the Year 3s. Our theme is Italy and volcanoes, so we have found out what the Year 3s would like to learn about our topic and creat...
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    What's happening in Year 3 - Week 6
    Year 3 have done lots of fantastic learning on their STEAM project this week. They have been planning and designing games that involve a maze and are magnetic. Here are some of the designs they have c...
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    What's happening in Year 2 - Week 6
    Year 2 have had an amazing time creating their winter gardens for their STEAM project. We thought about what materials they would use to create their designs and they ensured they created enough space...
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    What's happening in Year 1 - Week 6
    For STEAM this week, year one have been designing bridges to help the Billy Goats Gruff escape the troll. We have made sure that our models are strong and secure enough to withstand their weight. ...
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  • Science
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Get in Touch

St John and St James C of E Primary School,
Isabella Road,
Hackney
E9 6DX

Tel: 020 8985 2045
Fax: 020 8985 5768
Email: office@johnjames.hackney.sch.uk

Executive Principal: Sian Davies
Headteacher: Joanne Smith

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