Science Intent - What We Aspire for our Children

Our bespoke science curriculum has been carefully designed to meet the needs of our pupils while fully covering the National Curriculum. It provides a coherent and progressive sequence of learning that develops scientific knowledge, enquiry skills and curiosity about the world. 

The curriculum has been created by subject leaders and teaching staff to reflect our school's context, ensuring learning is relevant, engaging and ambitious for every child. It is underpinned by the belief that every pupil can become a successful scientist through high-quality teaching, practical experiences and opportunities to think critically. 

Our curriculum aims to: 

• Develop secure substantive knowledge across our golden threads of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth Science 

• Build disciplinary knowledge by explicitly teaching pupils how scientists investigate, question, observe and evaluate evidence. 

• Ensure knowledge builds progressively from the Early Years through to Year 6, enabling pupils to make meaningful connections between concepts. 

• Develop precise scientific vocabulary which is explicitly taught and revisited. 

• Promote curiosity, resilience and independence through enquiry-based learning. 

• Encourage pupils to understand the role of science in everyday life and its importance in addressing global challenges such as climate change, sustainability and human health. 

Knowledge has been carefully mapped so that concepts are revisited over time, allowing pupils to strengthen understanding and remember more. 

Science Implementation - Bringing Curiosity to Life in the Classroom

Our bespoke curriculum is delivered through carefully sequenced units that ensure knowledge and skills develop progressively across each year group. 

Teachers use detailed medium-term plans which identify: 

• Prior learning. 

• Key scientific knowledge. 

• Essential vocabulary. 

• Clear links to various scientific enquiry skills. 

• Assessment opportunities. 

 

Teaching and Learning 

Science lessons include a balance of: 

• Direct teaching of scientific knowledge. 

• Practical investigations. 

• Scientific discussion. 

• Observation and exploration. 

• Retrieval practice. 

• Opportunities to apply learning in new contexts. 

Teachers ensure that practical work has a clear learning purpose and develops conceptual understanding rather than simply providing an activity. 

Working Scientifically is woven throughout every unit. Pupils learn to: 

• Ask scientific questions. 

• Make predictions using prior knowledge. 

• Plan fair and comparative tests. 

• Observe changes over time. 

• Classify and identify. 

• Gather and record evidence. 

• Analyse patterns. 

• Draw conclusions. 

• Evaluate investigations and suggest improvements. 

 

Sequencing 

Learning has been deliberately sequenced so that: 

• New knowledge builds upon secure prior learning. 

• Scientific concepts become increasingly complex over time. 

• Vocabulary is revisited regularly. 

• Misconceptions are identified and addressed. 

• Retrieval opportunities strengthen long-term memory. 

 

 

Vocabulary 

Scientific language is explicitly planned and taught. 

Teachers: 

• Introduce key vocabulary at the start of each unit. 

• Model accurate scientific language. 

• Encourage pupils to explain ideas using scientific terminology. 

• Revisit vocabulary through retrieval activities and discussion. 

• Display vocabulary to support independent learning. 

 

Assessment 

Assessment is ongoing and informs future teaching. 

Teachers assess through: 

• Questioning. 

• Retrieval quizzes. 

• Practical investigations. 

• Written explanations. 

• Pupil discussion. 

• End-of-unit assessments. 

• Observation of scientific enquiry. 

Assessment information enables teachers to identify misconceptions quickly and adapt planning where necessary. 

 

Inclusion 

The curriculum is designed to ensure every pupil can access ambitious scientific learning. 

Teachers provide: 

• Appropriate scaffolding where required. 

• Practical experiences for all learners. 

• Vocabulary support. 

• Visual models and demonstrations. 

• Additional challenge through deeper questioning and investigation. 

• Adaptations to meet the needs of pupils with SEND, disadvantaged pupils and those working at greater depth. 

 

Enrichment 

Science is enriched through: 

• Outdoor learning. 

• Visits and visitors. 

• Science Week. 

• Cross-curricular links where these strengthen scientific understanding. 

Science Impact - Equipping our Children for Lifelong Success

The impact of our bespoke science curriculum is reflected in pupils who: 

Know More 

Pupils develop secure scientific knowledge which they can recall and apply confidently. They understand key concepts across our golden threads of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth Science and make links between areas of learning. 

Remember More 

Regular retrieval, revisiting of concepts and carefully sequenced learning enable pupils to retain knowledge over time and build increasingly sophisticated understanding. 

Do More 

Pupils confidently work scientifically by: 

• Planning investigations. 

• Using appropriate equipment safely. 

• Recording observations accurately. 

• Analysing results. 

• Explaining findings using evidence. 

• Evaluating investigations critically. 

Speak Like Scientists 

Pupils use scientific vocabulary accurately when speaking and writing, demonstrating growing confidence in explaining scientific ideas. 

Love Science 

Pupils demonstrate enthusiasm, curiosity and resilience. They ask thoughtful questions, engage positively in practical enquiry and understand how science influences everyday life and future careers. 

 

Evidence of Impact 

Leaders evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum through: 

• Lesson observations. 

• Learning walks. 

• Book and planning checks. 

• Pupil voice. 

• Assessment information. 

• Monitoring of curriculum coverage. 

This evidence demonstrates that pupils develop secure scientific knowledge, strong enquiry skills and a genuine enthusiasm for science, preparing them well for secondary education and lifelong learning.