Science at Burnt Oak Junior School

At Burnt Oak Junior School, we believe every child has the natural curiosity and inquisitiveness of a scientist. Our goal is to inspire a genuine passion and enjoyment for science. We are committed to helping students understand key scientific concepts, processes, and skills, while encouraging them to connect their learning with everyday experiences. We teach different ways of thinking, enabling pupils to ask meaningful questions and express their ideas clearly. Our aim is to nurture confident, independent learners who explore values and ideas through the lens of science. We take pride in our well-rounded approach to teaching science, ensuring every child thrives throughout their time at Burnt Oak. We firmly believe that every pupil has an innate scientific curiosity, and we support them to ask questions and develop the skills to find answers independently.

Science Curriculum

“A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science.” (National Curriculum, 2014)

Our Aims

The National Curriculum for Science outlines key objectives to ensure every pupil:

• Gains scientific knowledge and understanding across biology, chemistry, and physics

• Develops an appreciation of the nature, processes, and methods of science through a range of investigations that address scientific questions about the world

• Acquires the knowledge needed to understand the applications and impact of science today and in the future

In addition to these national aims, Burnt Oak Junior School is dedicated to:

• Encouraging enjoyment, excitement, and interest in science through engaging activities

• Building on pupils’ natural curiosity about the world around them

• Delivering a well-structured programme of investigations and practical activities to deepen understanding

• Developing essential practical skills, including accurate measurement

• Introducing scientific language and vocabulary to improve communication

• Showing how science connects to the wider world and environment

Progression

At Burnt Oak, we follow the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), where many topics integrate science education, and some, like ‘Bright Sparks,’ focus specifically on science. Pupils actively engage in knowledge gathering, creative experiments, and refining their inquiry and observation skills. The curriculum is carefully planned so learning builds year on year, deepening pupils’ understanding in each topic.

Science learning centres on planning, recording, predicting, testing, interpreting results, and suggesting further investigations. Hands-on experiences make science meaningful and enjoyable for our pupils. We celebrate science throughout the year with events such as Science Week, where children explore exciting areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), sparking their curiosity and enthusiasm.

Personal Goals

At Burnt Oak, we emphasise eight IPC Personal Goals:

• • Adaptable

  • Communicator

  • Collaborator

  • Empathetic 

  • Ethical

  • Resilient

  • Respectful

  • Thinker

These goals are embedded in learning tasks to support holistic development. The IPC Learning Goals encourage pupils to understand different scientific perspectives, confidently approach new challenges, suggest creative ideas, and adapt to various situations.

By following the IPC, we deliver science in a creative way while fully covering the National Curriculum skills. As an international programme, it also ensures that diversity is represented and respected throughout our teaching.