"To ignite the excitement and curiosity of our inquisitive children and to encourage them to confidently explore the wider world, becoming life-long scientists, through inspiring practical and inquiry-based learning."
Mrs Alexander, Science Lead
Curriculum Design: Sequencing & Progression
The Ark science curriculum is fully aligned to the National Curriculum. The units of work ensure pupils gain the knowledge they need to discover, understand and begin to explain the world and phenomena around them whilst also ensuring pupils are equipped with the skills and knowledge of processes though which science is achieved and applied. The knowledge builds sequentially in the three disciplines with pupils often revisiting an idea or concept in a later unit.
The unit order is built in a way which ensures pupils have the knowledge they need to work scientifically in a meaningful way. Rather than pupils learning solely from practical work, they will gain knowledge of the scientific concept first before deepening it through ‘working scientifically’. The different types of scientific enquiry have been incorporated across the units and as a result pupils encounter opportunities to take part in: observing over time, pattern seeking, identifying, classifying and grouping, comparative and fair testing and researching using secondary sources.
How Science is taught at SJA
The teaching of Science follows the National Curriculum objectives. In many years, the topics are returned to and extended further. For some years, topics are taught in isolation.
At St James the Great we use the Ark Curriculum to supplement our Science curriculum and ensure progression through the use of our science progression grid. The AC+ science curriculum is fully aligned to the National Curriculum. The units of work ensure pupils gain the knowledge they need to discover, understand and begin to explain the world and phenomena around them whilst also ensuring pupils are equipped with the skills and knowledge of processes though which science is achieved and applied. The knowledge builds sequentially in the three disciplines with pupils often revisiting an idea or concept in a later unit.
Year 2 have been exploring famous scientists and particularly enjoyed their research about bees and finding out about Eva Crane. Year 2 also studied Dr Napper and learnt about microplastics and their effect on sea creatures.
Our aim is for young scientists to:
Ask questions to spark their scientific curiosity
Explore through investigations and experiments
Observe and discover
Science enrichment trips take place regularly.
Our aim is to ignite pupils' passions for STEM subjects from a young age and to have the opportunity to ask more experts big questions.
Nursery
Year R
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Year 1 enjoyed learning about sinking and floating during National Science week.
Year 2 conducted a bird experiment to find out how birds have adapted to eat certain foods. Pupils thought about what they can pick up using their beaks.