At Guillemont Junior School, we place curiosity at the heart of our science curriculum. We believe that science is essential for understanding and making sense of our environment through hands-on experiences and exploration. Through intentional, practical science activities, we nurture children’s critical thinking and inquisitive minds while ensuring they acquire and retain a solid foundation of scientific knowledge.
Our vision is that every child will leave our school with the scientific understanding and inquiry skills necessary to foster their curiosity and analytical abilities as they progress into Key Stage 3 and beyond.
Knowledge and Skills:
At Guillemont Junior School, our vision is to deliver a high-quality and meaningful science curriculum that empowers students to question, explore, and investigate the world around them. We understand the crucial role science plays in everyday life and the importance of scientific discoveries in our modern society. Throughout Key Stage Two, students engage in a series of learning journeys that deepen their understanding of various scientific concepts, including earth and space, forces, magnetism, evolution, materials, plants and animals, and light and sound.
We are committed to nurturing a love of science and closing the STEM gap by enhancing children’s Science Capital. By building on their natural instincts for questioning and exploration, we provide engaging and contextual stimuli that inspire curiosity and resilience—two of our core school values. Each science unit is guided by open-ended questions that stimulate inquiry and empower children to follow their own lines of investigation. We incorporate regular retrieval practices to help students’ revisit prior learning from previous years and lessons, as well as conduct longitudinal studies that allow them to observe and analyse changes over time.
In addition to their science learning, students explore the contributions of famous scientists, from historical pioneers to modern-day innovators, helping them understand that research and discovery are continuous processes. Through this comprehensive approach, students develop essential skills such as prediction, hypothesis formulation, observation, and critical thinking, enabling them to explain their findings and draw meaningful conclusions.
Environment:
Our science curriculum is enriched by our wonderful school environment, which includes a well-established pond, bug-hunting areas, and wildflower gardens. We also have an aviary featuring a variety of birds and guinea pigs, all of which help foster a love of science among our students.
Additionally, we enhance our curriculum through offsite trips to the Winchester Science Museum and an annual celebration of Science Week. Our weekly STEM club features key activities such as using microscopes, exploring circuits, and observing chemical reactions. Pupils engage in a range of practical activities to develop their skills in biology, chemistry, and physics. They learn the reasons behind scientific phenomena while witnessing them first hand—whether it’s examining cells under a microscope, constructing electric circuits, or observing chemical reactions.
We also invite science experts from Farnborough Sixth Form College and local companies to work with our pupils, helping them envision themselves as future scientists. Students have the opportunity to work on their own science projects with guidance from A-level students.
At Guillemont Junior School children are:
Taught a broad range of scientific concepts against the key ideas to explore the world around them.
Engaged during science lessons and enjoy practical experimentation.
Encouraged to ask questions and generate ideas; teachers address misconceptions by challenging the children’s thinking.
Working scientifically to become aware of what makes a good scientist.
Learning about the relevant Scientist(Scientist coverage).
Our goal is for every child to graduate from our school equipped with the scientific knowledge and inquiry skills needed to nurture their curiosity, resilience and analytical thinking as they move into Key Stage 3 and beyond.
