Intent

At St Stephen's C of E Primary School, we believe Science helps children make sense of the amazing world around them. We aim for every child to become curious, confident and thoughtful, asking questions, exploring ideas and learning from what they discover. Our curriculum inspires pupils to be rooted in an appreciation of God's creation and a secure understanding of the natural world, empowered with the scientific knowledge, enquiry skills and critical thinking needed to investigate, question and solve problems, and ready to serve by using science responsibly to care for others, protect the environment and make informed choices that positively impact their community and the wider world.

We follow the Kapow Primary Science scheme, which provides a carefully sequenced curriculum that meets the requirements of the National Curriculum and ensures knowledge, scientific enquiry skills and vocabulary build progressively from EYFS to Year 6.

Pupils develop their understanding across the key areas of biology, chemistry and physics while learning to work scientifically. Through practical investigations and enquiry-based learning, children ask questions, make observations, gather evidence, test ideas and draw conclusions, developing the curiosity and confidence to think like scientists.

Implementation

Curriculum Progression

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced so that pupils progressively develop both substantive scientific knowledge and disciplinary knowledge through scientific enquiry.

In Key Stage 1, children explore the world around them through observation, simple investigations and practical experiences while developing key scientific vocabulary. In Lower Key Stage 2, pupils deepen their understanding of topics including plants, animals, rocks, light, forces and electricity, carrying out increasingly structured enquiries. By Upper Key Stage 2, children investigate more complex concepts such as Earth and Space, evolution, inheritance and the human body, planning investigations, analysing results and explaining their thinking using accurate scientific language.

Throughout the curriculum, key concepts are revisited through a spiral approach, enabling pupils to strengthen prior learning, make meaningful connections and deepen their understanding over time.

Working Scientifically

Scientific enquiry is at the heart of our curriculum. Pupils develop the skills to:

• Ask scientific questions

• Make careful observations and measurements

• Plan and carry out investigations

• Record data using a range of methods

• Analyse, interpret and present findings

• Draw conclusions using evidence

These skills become increasingly sophisticated as pupils progress through the school, enabling them to think critically and work confidently as young scientists.

Curriculum Coverage

Our ambitious curriculum provides full coverage of the National Curriculum and is designed to be accessible for all learners. Knowledge and enquiry skills are carefully sequenced, allowing pupils to revisit and build upon prior learning while developing a secure understanding of scientific concepts. Inclusive teaching strategies ensure every child is supported and challenged to achieve their potential.

Cross-Curricular Links

Science enriches learning across the wider curriculum through meaningful links with mathematics, computing, Design and Technology, geography and PSHE. Pupils apply mathematical skills when measuring, recording and analysing data, use computing to present findings, and deepen their understanding of the natural world through wider curriculum topics. These connections help children develop transferable knowledge and skills across subjects.

Impact

By the end of Year 6, pupils leave St Stephen's as curious, knowledgeable and confident young scientists with a secure understanding of the scientific concepts and enquiry skills developed throughout their primary education. They are well prepared for the challenges of secondary science and equipped to think critically about the world around them.

Our pupils will:

• Demonstrate secure knowledge across biology, chemistry and physics

• Use scientific vocabulary accurately and confidently

• Ask thoughtful questions and plan fair scientific enquiries

• Make careful observations, record data accurately and interpret results

• Draw evidence-based conclusions and explain their thinking clearly

• Recognise the importance of science in understanding and caring for the world around them

Assessment is ongoing through practical investigations, retrieval practice, teacher questioning, pupil discussion and formative assessment. Clear progression from Reception to Year 6 ensures every child develops secure scientific knowledge, enquiry skills and critical thinking before moving on to increasingly challenging scientific learning.