“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. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.”

Science: Purpose of Study from the 2014 National Curriculum.

What are we trying to achieve?

Our Science curriculum links to our ‘Big Ideas’ of ‘Planet Earth and the Universe’ and ‘Innovation and Exploration’ and enables our children to:

• develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics;
• develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them;
• be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

Science Themes

• Working scientifically
• Biology
  • Plants
  • Animals, including humans
  • Living things and their habitats
  • Evolution and inheritance
• Chemistry
  • Everyday materials
  • Uses of everyday materials
  • Rocks
  • States of matter
  • Properties and changes of materials
• Physics
  • Seasonal changes
  • Forces and magnets
  • Light
  • Sound
  • Electricity
  • Earth and space

Our Science Curriculum Mapping show how our children develop their knowledge and working scientifically skills in Science during their time with us. For each of the major topic areas, you can then see which National Curriculum objectives are covered in that year, together with the term and block in which that objective is first met. The second part of this document highlights how disciplinary knowledge (titled Working Scientifically in the National Curriculum) progresses from Year 1 to Year 6. The working scientifically skills have been broken down into eight key areas.

How do we organise learning?

To support the implementation of our Science curriculum we have adopted White Rose Science which supports our teachers to develop their Science expertise and plan and deliver engaging lessons. White Rose Science teaches practical approaches to science and scientific language in a fun and logical way. Children will cover scientific questions around sustainability and the planet, and help develop an empathy for the local and wider environment. You can find out more about how we structure our Science teaching in our Science Non-Negotiables below.

The White Rose Curriculum Order Rationale explains why the curriculum is structured in the way it is.

Our Science Whole School Overview shows the units of work our children will experience during their time with us.

Subject Leader: Mrs Clare Morris

Page reviewed on 19/08/24 by KJD.