What is our aim with Science at Springfield? 

At Springfield Junior School, our aim in Science is to foster curiosity and fascination for the world around them.  We follow the progression of the CUSP framework, emphasizing advanced vocabulary, strong connections to prior knowledge, and a carefully structured progression of both understanding and skills. We use exploration, inquiry, and investigation, nurturing a genuine curiosity about the universe and inspiring creative thinking. By examining everyday phenomena, students will build a solid foundation for comprehending their surroundings and cultivating a sense of awe and wonder for science. They will recognize the pivotal role that science plays in transforming our lives and shaping our world, as well as its critical importance for the future of our planet.

 What does this look like in our classrooms? (Implementation)

In our classrooms, Science is explored creatively through active learning experiences and engaging activities. Each lesson begins with a question to spark curiosity and thinking. We enhance learning with opportunities for practical hands-on lessons, and use of outdoor learning sessions in the school grounds to apply the knowledge and skills they are taught in Science lessons. We build aspiration through creating opportunities for children to have wider experiences; visits, trips and through making links to real life contexts.

We consolidate learning by recapping and ‘flicking back’ to prior knowledge. We help our children remember what they’ve learnt through low stakes quizzing and spaced retrieval practise. We also display learning, skills and vocabulary, in the classroom, on our 'Loops of Learning' working walls. Key concepts and vocabulary are explicitly taught in context and are referred to and built upon as children move through the school.

At Springfield Junior School, our Science lessons are designed so children learn through practical first-hand experiences and secondary sources, to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world in which they live. These experiences should enable children to observe, question, investigate, make sense of and communicate and evaluate their findings.

The implementation of our curriculum ensures the balanced coverage of the themes highlighted in the National Curriculum:

• Pupils develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
• Pupils 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
• Pupils are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future

Within Science sessions we aim to support pupils by:
*Promoting pupil voice.
*Displaying learning, skills and vocabulary, in the classroom, on our 'Loops of Learning' wall.

*Coherent sequenced approach to learning.
*Using an enquiry-led approach; key questions and ancillary questions.
*Providing a diverse and creative curriculum which addresses the needs of all learners.
*Building aspiration through creating opportunities for children to have wider experiences; visits, trips and through making links to real life contexts.

*Enabling children to come to a deepening understanding of scientific concepts.

 

How do we support and assess all learners?

In line with all other areas of the curriculum, within science we strive to meet the needs of all pupils and ensure they have the right to progress and meet their potential. We measure the success of our curriculum by assessing how well the children have met the intended outcomes through formative assessment and through structured pupil book studies, sitting alongside the children and asking them about their learning.  We track their progress using an assessment system called Insight to analyse and address any gaps in the children’s learning and to inform regular curriculum reviews and action plans.

The impact of our Science curriculum is that:

- Children have experienced learning the three strands (Chemistry, biology and physics) of Science.

- Have a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them and how they can affect it.

- Be able to articulate their understanding of scientific concepts and be able to reason scientifically using rich vocabulary linked to science.

- Work collaboratively and practically to investigate and experiment.