Science

Science encourages pupils to ask questions about the natural and physical world. Through practical investigation and careful observation, children develop knowledge alongside the habits of scientific thinking.

At All Saints’, our science curriculum enables pupils to develop a secure and connected understanding of the world around them. Through the study of biology, chemistry and physics, pupils develop an understanding of scientific concepts, processes and the ways in which science helps us explain and understand the world.

Our curriculum progressively develops substantive and disciplinary knowledge. Learning is carefully sequenced so that pupils build on, revisit and connect prior knowledge, developing increasingly secure scientific understanding and the ability to work scientifically.

The curriculum follows the National Curriculum and is organised around three key concepts: investigate, research and record. These provide consistent threads across the curriculum and are represented through Knowledge Gems, which identify the essential scientific knowledge and vocabulary pupils need to remember. Retrieval activities support pupils to retain and connect their learning.

Pupils learn to plan enquiries, make predictions, observe and measure accurately, record findings and draw conclusions from evidence. They also develop an increasingly precise scientific vocabulary.

Teaching and Learning

Science is taught through carefully sequenced units, with teachers explicitly teaching key knowledge, vocabulary, concepts and scientific skills. Modelling, questioning, explanation and guided practice support pupils to develop secure understanding.

Pupils develop their ability to investigate through observation, practical enquiry and fair testing; research using a range of appropriate sources and scientific information; and record their observations, results and conclusions using increasingly accurate scientific language, diagrams, tables and data.

Practical work is used purposefully to deepen pupils’ understanding of scientific concepts and develop their knowledge of how science works. Red and Green Dot Tasks, retrieval and assessment activities help teachers identify prior knowledge, misconceptions and gaps, enabling teaching to respond appropriately.

 

 

Key ideas are revisited and extended across year groups so that understanding becomes broader, deeper and more connected.

Progression and Inclusion

The Science Learning Journey and progression documents ensure that learning builds systematically on prior knowledge. Pupils access the same ambitious curriculum through explicit vocabulary teaching, modelling, scaffolding and appropriate challenge.

By the end of each key stage, pupils should be able to remember, explain, connect and apply important scientific knowledge and use appropriate vocabulary and evidence to communicate their understanding.

Enrichment and Impact

Practical investigations, experiments, observations, visitors and real-world scientific contexts are used where they enhance and deepen scientific learning. Pupils are given opportunities to apply their knowledge and develop curiosity about the world around them.

The impact of our curriculum is seen when pupils can retain scientific knowledge, make connections between concepts, use scientific vocabulary accurately, investigate questions, interpret evidence and communicate their findings clearly.

Ultimately, we want every child to leave All Saints’ with a strong body of connected scientific knowledge, curiosity about the world and the ability to think and work scientifically. They will be confident to investigate, research and record, using scientific knowledge and evidence to explain the world around them.