Science

At Langwith Bassett Junior Academy, we aim for all children to develop the key skills and scientific knowledge they need through encouraging our pupils to raise questions and investigate the world in which they live.  Science teaches an understanding of natural phenomena, it stimulates inquisitiveness in finding out why things happen in the way they do, and it develops methods of enquiry and investigation to inspire creative thought.  Children learn to ask scientific questions and begin to appreciate the way in which Science will affect the future on a personal, national and global level.

Intent

The LBJA Science curriculum allows our children to develop curiosity, perseverance and an ability to challenge what we know about the world.  We aim to make Science as practical as possible, linking it to real life contexts and giving a meaning to our learning.  Our intent is to give every child a broad and balanced Science curriculum which enables them to confidently explore and discover what is around them, so that they have a deeper understanding of the world we live in.  We want our children to love Science.  We want them to have no limits to what their ambitions are and grow up knowing they can be astronauts, forensic scientists, toxicologists or microbiologists.  We want our children to remember their Science lessons in our school, to cherish these memories and embrace the scientific opportunities they are presented with.

Implementation

To achieve our curriculum goals, we provide exciting, practical hands-on experiences that encourage curiosity and questioning.  Through these stimulating and challenging experiences, we support every child to secure and extend their scientific knowledge and vocabulary.  At LBJA, we have a coherently planned and sequenced curriculum which has been carefully designed and developed with the needs of our children and our community at the centre.

• At LBJA, Science topics are taught within each class in accordance with the National Curriculum
• Topics are blocked to allow children to study each one in depth
• Each class builds upon the learning from the previous year, therefore ensuring a depth of understanding and progression of skills
• Children explore, question, predict, plan, investigate and observe as well as conclude their findings
• Children present their learning using scientific specific language and diagrams
• Regular opportunities to review the learning taken place in previous topics, as well as previous lessons, supports the children in their ability to 'know more and remember more'
• Teachers access a range of resources, planning and effective CPD opportunities
• Educational visits and visitors to the academy are planned to enrich and enhance pupils' learning experiences
• Cross-curricular activities with other subjects such as Maths, English and computing support the children's learning

Impact

The impact of our curriculum design is that children will make outstanding progress over time, relative to their individual starting point and their progression of skills.  Through various workshops, trips, interactions and high-quality teaching, leads to pupils' being enthusiastic Science learners and understand that Science has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world's future prosperity.  We will empower our children in a range of ways; pupil voice, children's work and their overwhelming enjoyment of science.

At LBJA, we encourage our pupils to have a love for reading, which helps develop curiosity and exploration skills which run throughout our Science curriculum.

Science in Foundations@Langwith Bassett is taught through the 'Understanding of the World' strand of the EYFS curriculum.  Children learn about materials, forces, seasons and living things by investigation and using their senses.  They discuss similarities, differences, patterns and change.

Through continuous provision and adult-led activities, children are motivated to ask questions about why things happen and how things work.  They are encouraged to explore the world around them and to care for living things.  The key skills in the Foundations' curriculum goals and the focus on communicating effectively and developing new language and vocabulary ensures our pupils are prepared for the next stage of their education.