Science - Alton Park Junior School

Science

Science

We use the CUSP Science curriculum, which pays close attention to guidance provided by the National Curriculum sequence and content. It is based on evidence-led practice and enriched with retrieval studies to ensure long-term retention of foundational knowledge.

Each study draws upon prior learning which makes it easier for the children to cognitively process. Our Science is organised into three distinct subject domains: biology, physics and chemistry. Where inter-disciplinary concepts are encountered, such as the particle model, these are taught explicitly and connected across science domains. The scheme breaks the national curriculum into meaningful and connected ‘chunks’ of content to reduce the load on the working memory as well as creating coherent and strong long-term memories. The sequence of substantive and disciplinary knowledge enables pupils to become ‘more expert’ with each study and grow an ever broadening and coherent mental model of the subject. Common scientific misconceptions are identified in all Science learning modules. These misconceptions are made explicit to pupils. Children draw upon substantive and disciplinary knowledge to reason and practise acquiring the conception, whilst repelling the misconceptions. Examples and non-examples are powerful ways of saying what something is and what something isn’t. We value the study of scientists from the past as well as promoting diverse present-day role models in the field. These studies help us to learn how they used, at that time, their substantive and disciplinary knowledge to develop a conception. 

 Aims of the Science Curriculum

The national curriculum for science aims to ensure that all pupils:  

  • develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics

  • 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  

  • are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future. 

Our Intent

At Alton Park Junior School, we recognise that science is a core curriculum subject and it is our intent that our pupils will learn scientific skills supported by our values:

Aspiration

  • have a positive attitude towards science and develop their scientific knowledge, understanding and skills.

Learning

  • access the National Curriculum to develop their scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding 

  • develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiry (working scientifically) that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them 

  • use scientific methods to record and present their ideas

  • have their individual needs met through carefully planned and assessed activities

  • be taught by teachers who are being enabled to deepen and develop their knowledge and understanding of the pedagogy of Science

Tenacity

  • be resilient learners and use a growth mindset towards science

Opportunity

  • be equipped with the scientific skills required to understand the uses and implications of science

  • use science to enrich their mathematical understanding

  • use ICT to deepen their understanding of science

  • be given opportunities to creatively explore their ideas through a STEM approach

Nurture

  • be encouraged to respect the environment – locally and globally