Science at Mount Pleasant CE VC Junior School

Intent: 

At Mount Pleasant CE Junior School, it is our intention to recognise the importance of Science in every aspect of daily life. We give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires. The Scientific area of learning is concerned with increasing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of our world, and with developing skills associated with Science as a process of enquiry. It will develop the natural curiosity of the child, encourage respect for living organisms and the physical environment and provide opportunities for critical evaluation of evidence. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of Science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how Science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes. 

Science at Mount Pleasant is 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. We intend to, build an inspiring Science curriculum which develops a love of learning, results in the acquisition of knowledge and enables children to become enquiry based learners. 

Providing equal opportunities for all the children is at the heart of our Christian ethos and teaching practice, whereby activities are differentiated to ensure all the children, including Pupil Premium, SEND and low attainers needs are met. We aim for our children to have high aspirations for themselves and teach them about diversity in Science including important scientists whose discoveries have impacted on the way we live. We intend to develop children’s sense of global and local citizenship through understanding the value and importance of making responsible, informed and more sustainable lifestyle choices that minimise our impact on the environment. We do this through embedding our whole school values and providing a creative approach to learning that is rich in making cross-curricular links so that learning is meaningful thus contributing to a lasting, positive behavioural change.

Implementation: 

Our Science teaching is underpinned by our vision and principles shared with everyone. Key points we follow at Mount Pleasant Junior School: 

  • Reflective learning and questioning opportunities for all pupils building on their prior knowledge and providing cross-curricular links. 
  • An environment that encourages pupils to pose their own questions and suggest their own way of investigating their hypotheses to develop their ideas and independence. 
  • Key vocabulary and scientific pedagogical methods, such as Concept Cartoon Cards, are used in order to challenge pupils and broaden their understanding. 
  • Nurturing and applying pupils’ Science learning to real-life experiences, making science meaningful and building the ‘Science Cultural Capital’. 
  • Hands-on, practical experiences of working in a range of scientific methods to explore, inspire and foster pupils’ natural curiosity. 
  • A creative, inclusive and stimulating Science curriculum, enabling pupils to secure and extend their scientific knowledge and vocabulary. Making learning fun! 
  • Teachers plan using a hybrid of resources with White Rose Science for each Science topic. The schemes of learning contain key facts, vocabulary, prior learning, questions, and potential misconceptions.

‘Working Scientifically’ processes and methods are embedded in lessons so that children learn to use a variety of skills to answer scientific questions / investigations. These are: Observing Over Time, Pattern Seeking, Identifying and Classifying, Comparative and Fair Testing, Problem Solving and Research. 

Subject specific vocabulary is identified through schemes of learning/knowledge organisers and displays. Prior-learning is highlighted to the children at the beginning of each lesson to assess pupils’ understanding and retention of knowledge. End of Unit Assessment will inform teacher judgment, alongside pupil assessment. 

Science displays provide a way to introduce new vocabulary and the key lines of enquiry. The six enquiry types are also displayed in every classroom describing the processes and skills pupils should be taught and use, to find out more about the world and how it works. 

Children learn in a variety of ways, and so where appropriate, children will learn science outside the classroom. On site we have access to our playing field and wildlife area, with opportunities for visits from the Science Department at The Market Weighton School. 

Children can clearly see things in context which promotes and fosters an emotional connection between children and the natural environment. The outdoors also facilitates creative activities such as drawing and sketching, basic skills in Science that we should encourage. We intend to mark special days such as World Science Week, Earth Day, STEM week, British Science week and run a science club. 

Impact: 

By the time children leave our school: 

  • The vast majority of children will achieve age related expectations in Science at the end of their cohort year.
  • Children will retain knowledge that is pertinent to Science with a real life context.
  • Children will be able to question ideas and reflect on knowledge.
  • Children will work collaboratively and practically to investigate and experiment.
  • Children will be able to explain the process they have taken and be able to reason scientifically.
  • Children will have a richer vocabulary which will enable them to articulate their understanding of taught concepts.
  • Children will acquire high aspirations, which will see them through to further study, work and a successful adult life.

Science progress at Mount Pleasant is measured through the child’s ability to obtain sustainable knowledge, remember more and explain more. Our approach results in fun, engaging, high-quality Science education that provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world. This is evident in pupils’ work, photos, and displays. Through a variety of well-designed and well delivered Science lessons, children have the understanding that Science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity. Children are aware of the possibilities for careers in Science, because of our 'Scientist Like Me’ displays, teaching staff, pupil-led ECO Committee and community links with The Market Weighton School. This gives our children access to positive role models within the field of Science from the immediate and wider local community. 

 

Documentation: 

Click to Download Science Long Term Plan [pdf 650KB] Click to Download
Click to Download Science Progression Document [pdf 283KB] Click to Download

Additional Resources: 

Add resources here if required.