Intent
Our vision at Herne is to develop pupils’ lifelong curiosity about the world around them and to be able to answer questions by using a range of scientific enquiries.
We are 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.
Our Christian vision for our school is reflected in our Science lessons as we develop children’s curiosity and promote children’s aspirations in this subject.
At Herne Junior School, in conjunction with the aims of the National Curriculum, our Science teaching offers opportunities for children to:
Implementation
The acquisition of key scientific knowledge is an integral part of our science lessons. The Kent Scheme of Learning provides the structure of knowledge development with scientific skills linked to each unit of work. All is in line with the National Curriculum and its objectives.
The progression of skills for working scientifically are developed through the year groups and scientific enquiry skills are of key importance within lessons.
Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards in Science. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of science involves the following:
Impact
The successful approach at Herne Junior School results in a fun, engaging, high-quality science education that provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world. They develop a wider variety of skills linked to both scientific knowledge and understanding, and scientific enquiry/investigative skills. They also gain a rich vocabulary which enables them to articulate their understanding of taught concepts.
Our children love Science and we have provided a safe space to develop their curiosity about the world around us. This develops their confidence and resilience in the subject.
Children will know more, remember more and understand more about the curriculum. Children retain prior-learning and explicitly make connections between what they have previously learned and what they are currently learning. Through our engaging practical lessons, children remember more.
Through various workshops, trips and interactions with experts, children have the understanding that science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity. Children learn about the possibilities for careers in Science as a result of our community links and connection with national agencies such as the STEM association. Pupil voice is used to further develop the Science curriculum, through questioning of pupils’ views and attitudes to Science to support the children’s enjoyment of science and to motivate learners.
Teachers assess children’s progress and attainment in Science by using our tailored assessment grids which link to our scheme’s and the National Curriculum’s objectives. Children who are working towards in an area of Science are targeted for interventions either before or after a Science unit is taught.