Science Vision  

(Subject Lead: Mrs S. Wyse)

At Alexandra Junior School, our vision is to provide a science curriculum which enables pupils to explore and discover the world around them, so that they have a deeper understanding of the world we live in. We do this through exciting, practical, hands on experiences, which encourage curiosity, foster learning and scientific thinking.

Integrated within our daily life is our Alexandra Promise to our pupils and our school context-based drivers, the 5E’s (Excel yourself, Embrace yourself, Explore the world, Engage with others, Express yourself). For instance, our language rich and discussion based scientific provision supports essential knowledge and skill development for the pupils at Alexandra Junior School (links with Express yourself)

Our children are naturally curious and passionate about learning. At Alexandra Junior School, we provide a stimulating curriculum that nurtures children’s natural curiosity and their on-going knowledge and understanding of the world around them. Through hands-on, enquiry-based activities, children will experience the joy of learning ‘how’ and ‘why’. We seek to promote this open-mindedness and further develop their enquiring minds, so they become increasingly more confident as independent learners.

We believe in equality of access, and endeavour to unlock pupils’ potential for future life choices. We encourage pupils to be confident to ask questions and not to be afraid of getting it wrong, but instead viewing it as an opportunity to learn. Coupling this with aspirations enables the children to see how future careers link to scientific concepts.

The following are the principles of science teaching at Alexandra Junior School, decided and agreed by the children and staff.

• We are excited and ask questions (Explore the World, Express yourself)
• We are active in our activities and engaged in our learning (Engaged in our learning)
• We take part in practical ‘hands on’ investigations (Engage with others)
• We connect the experiences we have in science to other subject areas
• We are developing our understanding and extending our learning (excel yourself)
• We are exploring, investigating and discovering new ideas and concepts.
• We investigate, experiment and explain our ideas (Explore the World)
• We are not afraid to fail. In the words of Thomas Edison: ‘I have not failed; I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” (Excel yourself)
• Science has the E Factor! – Explore, Engage, Enquire, Explain

At Alexandra Junior School, we have a whole school ethos of respecting both the immediate and wider environment and community. We encourage the children to be responsible and recognise how lucky we are to have our school grounds to be used as a resource.

By providing these opportunities, we ensure that our children are motivated, confident, life-long learners who will continue to explore the world around them, way beyond their time at primary school.

We welcome you to review the Curriculum and Pedagogy documents to see how the science curriculum is put into practice.

Subject Lead Statement

As Science lead at Alexandra Junior School, my role is to lead, develop and support Science across the school in relevant and innovative ways, to ensure all teachers have the subject knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver interesting and challenging lessons. This high quality teaching enables children to experience high quality science opportunities and experiences. Within my role, I also take responsibility to ensure that I am equipped to lead the subject effectively and confidently, providing training and support to staff and ensuring wider opportunities are provided for all children outside of the classroom.

I feel it is essential that children understand the relevance of science to the wider world and their own experiences. Where possible, Science is linked to other curriculum to demonstrate links across the subject areas but still retaining its importance as a core subject.

Science at Alexandra Junior School is taught through practical lessons, wherever possible, developing the skills of working scientifically and enquiry based learning, supported by subject specific knowledge and vocabulary, all of which become increasingly challenging as pupil progress through the school. (mapped out on the intent document).

I am a confident and knowledgeable subject leader, mainly due to the extensive CPD opportunities I have received over the past year through the Ogden Trust Network; Science Across the City meetings; by undertaking the PQSM award and also by attending training for the science assessment, TAPS course. As a qualified facilitator, I also have the skills required to ensure that my knowledge is disseminated effectively to staff back at school.

My own passion for science comes from having a natural curiosity of the world. This personal love of the subject leads me to believe that with scientific thinking and an enquiring mind, our children can enter the world looking for answers and making a difference to their futures and the futures of the next generations.