Science
Science Curriculum
Inspiring Curious Young Scientists
At our school, we want children to enjoy science and develop a real curiosity about the world around them. We believe science should be exciting, practical and meaningful, helping children to ask questions, explore ideas and discover how things work.
We want every child to see themselves as a scientist — someone who explores, investigates and learns through trying things out. Our aim is for children to leave primary school with a strong understanding of scientific ideas, confidence in their abilities and a lifelong curiosity about the world.
How We Teach Science
We follow the Kapow Primary Science Scheme of Learning, which supports a broad, engaging and well-sequenced science curriculum from Year 1 to Year 6. Learning is carefully planned so that children build on prior knowledge and revisit important ideas as they move through the school.
Children learn about key areas of science, including:
- Living things and habitats
- Animals, including humans
- Plants
- Materials and their properties
- Forces, light and sound
- Electricity
- Earth and space
- Seasonal changes
Alongside scientific knowledge, children also develop important enquiry skills, learning how to think, question and investigate like scientists.
Learning Through Hands-On Experiences
We believe children learn science best when they are actively involved.
Science lessons are practical, engaging and full of opportunities for children to explore and investigate. Pupils regularly take part in activities where they can:
- Ask questions and share ideas
- Carry out experiments and investigations
- Make predictions and test them out
- Observe changes over time
- Sort, compare and classify objects
- Collect information and discuss findings
- Solve problems and explain what they have discovered
Whether investigating materials, growing plants, exploring forces or learning outdoors, we aim to make science memorable and meaningful through first-hand experiences.
We encourage children to be curious, take risks in their learning and understand that making mistakes is an important part of scientific discovery.
Science for Everyone: An Inclusive Curriculum
We believe that every child should feel successful and included in science.
Our science curriculum is designed to be accessible, engaging and ambitious for all learners, including children with additional needs or those who may need extra support or challenge.
Teachers carefully adapt lessons to help every child succeed through:
- Practical and visual learning opportunities
- Clear explanations and modelling
- Support with scientific vocabulary
- Collaborative learning and discussion
- Adapted resources where needed
- Additional challenge to deepen understanding
Hands-on learning plays an important role in helping children understand scientific ideas in a way that feels meaningful and accessible. We value different ways of learning and encourage all children to take part, share ideas and grow in confidence.
Working Scientifically
As children move through school, they gradually develop the skills needed to work scientifically. This includes learning how to:
- Ask questions
- Observe closely
- Carry out simple investigations
- Gather and record information
- Spot patterns and make connections
- Explain ideas using evidence
- Share findings using scientific vocabulary
These skills are developed year by year, helping children become increasingly independent, confident learners.
Building Scientific Vocabulary
Learning and understanding scientific language is an important part of our curriculum. Children are introduced to new vocabulary in a meaningful way and are encouraged to use scientific words confidently when talking, investigating and explaining their ideas.
Bringing Science to Life
We want science to feel exciting and relevant to children’s everyday lives. Throughout the year, pupils may take part in a range of enrichment opportunities, including:
- Outdoor learning
- Science investigations and STEM activities
- Special events such as Science Week
- Educational visits and visitors
- Environmental and sustainability projects
These experiences help children make connections between what they learn in school and the wider world around them.
Science in the Early Years
Curiosity begins early, and in our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children are encouraged to explore, question and investigate the world around them through play and first-hand experiences.
Science learning in EYFS is introduced through the Understanding the World area of learning, where children begin to make sense of their environment by observing, exploring and talking about what they notice.
Children are given regular opportunities to:
- Explore natural materials and seasonal change
- Observe plants, animals and minibeasts
- Investigate water, sand, magnets, light and shadows
- Talk about similarities, differences and patterns
- Ask questions and make simple predictions
- Learn through outdoor exploration and practical discovery
Through carefully planned activities, rich discussion and child-led exploration, children begin to develop important scientific skills such as observing, noticing change, problem-solving and asking questions.
We believe that practical, hands-on experiences are especially important in the early years, helping children build confidence, language and curiosity while developing a strong foundation for future scientific learning. Our inclusive approach ensures that all children can explore, participate and succeed, developing a sense of wonder about the world from the very beginning.
Our Aim
By the time children leave our school, we want them to be curious, confident and enthusiastic learners who enjoy asking questions and exploring new ideas.
Most importantly, we want children to leave with a love of learning and an understanding that science is all around us — helping us to understand ourselves, our planet and the world we live in.
