Intent – What do we want to deliver

Our intent is to ensure that we provide all the children with a science curriculum which is aspirational, engaging and ultimately bespoke to meet the needs of the children in our care. As well as a curriculum which is evolving and reacting to the needs of our society.

Science teaching at our school aims to all give children a strong understanding of the world around them whilst acquiring specific skills and knowledge to help them think scientifically, to gain an understanding of scientific processes and also to understand the uses and implications of Science, today, and for the future.

Why Science?

The teaching and learning in science at Market Drayton Junior School aims to arouse curiosity, challenge the children’s thinking and encourage the realisation that the pursuit of scientific endeavours can bring enormous future potential, both personally and professionally.

The science curriculum offers opportunities to experience the wonders of science at first hand through assemblies which showcase the marvels of experimental science and practical “hands on” workshops.

British Science Week is celebrated throughout the school, with children collaborating in mixed aged classes to investigate, create and experiment in a celebration of science.

In our school, we endorse those natural scientific links with other curriculum areas such as technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) to develop those collective skills which underpin these subjects. We have been fortunate to have benefitted from presentations from visiting STEM Ambassadors who have highlighted the life opportunities and careers which can be forged through and by a passion for science.

Science Ambassadors are appointed from each class to support the science lead and help collaborate in delivering science events across the school.

Beyond the classroom, after school science clubs enable those children who wish to, to continue scientific pursuits in a stimulating and inspiring environment.

The children at Market Drayton Junior School engage with and gain enjoyment from all things science. So, Why science? Why not?

Implementation - How do we deliver the Science Curriculum?

Planning for Science is based upon a rolling programme of Science units which ensure that topics are re-visited, prior knowledge and vocabulary, are built upon and the application of scientific skills, such as investigation, written and verbal communication, recording and concluding are enhanced, as the children progress.

Where appropriate the teaching of our Science is linked to other curriculum areas.

At Market Drayton Junior School we will cover the following areas:

Special Education Needs in Science

How do we ensure all children can access science lessons?

Our science planning is designed to ensure that all children are able to access lessons and are enthusiastic learners. We focus on a range of topics including plants, animals, materials, light, electricity and forces. Our lessons are planned to be suitably differentiated so that all children have the same experiences but they are tailored to their individual needs. We focus on how best the lessons can be structured to allow the children to achieve their potential whilst building up confidence and a continued love of science. For those children with complex additional needs, a suitably differentiated plan is developed with support, in some instances, by external agencies to ensure that we are providing them with the best opportunities to develop their skills and understanding of science. All children are given the opportunity to partake in experiments and learning experiences to enhance their understanding as well as having the opportunity to be involved in whole school science assemblies, attend after school science clubs with Fizz Pop Science and fully participate in the school’s annual Science Week. Throughout our school we adapt our environment to suit the needs of our children with resources such as coloured writing books, adapted pens and pencils and a range of hands-on practical resources such as vocabulary mats, knowledge organisers and models of the skeleton etc.

As a school we strive to support fully the teaching of science and to develop the children’s learning to allow each and every child to maximise their own individual potential. 

Impact - how do we measure the impact of our science curriculum?

Impact of the curriculum is based upon work completed in class; participation in discussions and completion of an entrance and exit card for each unit of work, which helps to ascertain the level of progress made. In addition, observations which demonstrate the children’s ability to plan, predict and conclude investigations.

Not only do we want children to acquire the appropriate age related knowledge linked to the Science curriculum, but also to embrace and nurture a love of Science which has been fostered within school, to encourage a strong sense of curiosity, enquiry and ambition within the children for today and as they continue through their academic journey and potential future job prospects.