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.

At Jacksdale Primary and Nursery School we will give all children a strong understanding of the world around them whilst equipping them with the skills and knowledge to help them think scientifically. We want our children to be inquisitive and curious about our world and beyond, whilst ensuring children gain an understanding of key scientific processes.

It is important that our children understand the term SCIENCE and that it is made up of 3 core components:

1. Biology
2. Physics
3. Chemistry

For this reason, we have devised the curriculum by identifying the science knowledge and skills within each of these components separately.  Each cohort has an individual termly focus, so not all pupils will learn about every component in each term, instead, having a focus depth study in one core area.

We strive to ensure children are equipped with an understanding of the use and implications of science, not just in 'today's world', but for the future as well.  Through our specifically mapped science curriculum, our children will become aware of number of scientists and their research, and be able to appreciate advances that have been made in science throughout history.

Our pupils will develop skills to work scientifically, beginning with the very youngest children in the nursery to the children who are fully equipped with key scientific skills as they move to secondary school.  They will be asking and answering their own questions using a range of different enquiry types across the core elements of biology, physics and chemistry.  Children will be scientifically literate and have a strong understanding of scientific vocabulary (biology, chemistry and physics) in each of the core areas of the science curriculum.

From Nursery to Year 6 our pupils will build up  knowledge, through revisiting key areas and building upon previous learning... embedding procedural knowledge into the long term memory by using a wealth of retrieval strategies.   

As a school, we value our children having opportunities to engage in extra-curricular science activities such as trips, access to external visitors and outside agencies - each of which will provide children with real life experiences to enhance and deepen their scientific understanding outside the classroom.

The scientific knowledge and enquiry skills which are developed with increasing depth and challenge as children move through the year groups are mapped out on our long term plan. Our sequence of lessons are planned to build on children's previous learning, weaving in all scientific components in a cross-curricular approach.

Activities are effectively differentiated so that all children have an appropriate level of support and challenge.

Through ongoing assessment of both skills and knowledge teaching staff are aware of the next steps. The skills and curriculum overviews are available to each teacher in school to enable learning to be progressive and for children to build on their knowledge and skills year on year.