An introduction to science at Ripley Junior School

At Ripley Junior School we see science as a subject which stimulates, excites and satisfies pupils' curiosity about phenomena and events in the world around them. Through a range of engaging lessons and teaching strategies we help the children to link practical experiences with their ideas; engaging learners of all levels. This allows the children to become critical thinkers, and to question the world around them. Through science, pupils understand how major scientific ideas contribute to technological change – impacting on industry, business and medicine and improving the quality of life. They learn to question and discuss science-based issues that may affect their own lives, the direction of society and the future of the world.

At Key Stage 2 pupils learn about a wider range of living things, materials and physical processes. They make links between ideas and explain things using simple models and theories. They apply their knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas to familiar phenomena, everyday things as well as their personal health. They carry out more systematic investigations, working on their own and with others and studying the work of a range of influential scientists in all areas of science. They talk about their work and its significance, using a wide range of scientific language, conventional diagrams, charts, graphs and ICT to communicate their ideas.

Our school aims to: Stimulate and excite pupils’ curiosity about changes and events in the world. All of our lessons have clear learning objectives which are shared and reviewed with the pupils. Activities inspire the pupils to experiment and investigate the world around them and to help them raise their own questions such as "Why...?", "How...?" and "What happens if...?” These questions are used (where suitable and possible) to direct the learning journey within the topic. The activities which are planned develop the skills of enquiry, observation, locating sources of information, selecting appropriate equipment and using it safely, measuring and checking results, making comparisons and communicating results and findings. Lessons make effective links with other curriculum areas and subjects, especially literacy, numeracy and ICT and are sometimes used as the stimulus for a large amount of cross curricular work. We encourage the children to develop their scientific literacy, and they have written poetry and diary entries within their science work.

The activities which are set by the staff at Ripley Junior School are challenging, motivating, engaging and extend pupils’ learning.

Science Subject On A Page

Science Yearly Overview