Intent
At St Jude’s Catholic Primary School, we aim to nurture children’s curiosity about the world around them. Our science curriculum helps all pupils develop scientific knowledge and understanding, learn how scientists investigate questions, and recognise the uses and implications of science in everyday life and in the future.
We want every child to reach their potential in science. Pupils are encouraged to ask questions, think carefully about evidence, work with increasing independence and persevere when an investigation does not produce the result they expected. Scientific knowledge is built progressively so that children can connect new ideas with what they have learned before.
Working scientifically is woven through the topics children study. Pupils learn to observe, classify, look for patterns, carry out comparative and fair tests, observe changes over time and use secondary sources to answer questions. They develop the knowledge needed to choose suitable approaches, use equipment appropriately, record results and explain what their evidence shows. These approaches are taught through the science content, rather than as separate skills.
We explicitly teach scientific vocabulary, including the key “sticky vocabulary” identified for each topic. Discussion, explanation and purposeful reading help pupils express their ideas clearly and recognise or correct misconceptions. Planned enrichment, including experiences in the local environment, helps children see how science relates to their lives and the wider world.
Implementation
Science is taught through discrete lessons following the school’s planned sequence of topics. Teachers identify the knowledge and vocabulary pupils need to learn and revisit important ideas so that children can build secure understanding over time. Planning is informed by the National Curriculum and supported by resources and professional guidance from the Association for Science Education. The ASE’s PLAN resources, for example, provide guidance on scientific knowledge, working scientifically and assessment.
At the beginning of a topic, teachers establish what children already know and identify any misconceptions. The KWL approach gives pupils an opportunity to share what they know, raise questions and return to their learning at the end of the topic. Teachers also revisit relevant learning from previous topics and year groups.
Children encounter science through direct teaching, discussion, practical experiences, observation, reading and research. Teachers model scientific vocabulary, the safe and appropriate use of equipment, and the reasoning needed to make sense of results. Pupils are given opportunities to ask questions and use different types of scientific enquiry where these help them understand the topic. As they progress through school, they take increasing responsibility for making decisions, recording and interpreting findings, and drawing conclusions supported by evidence.
Teachers use questions, discussion, observations of practical work and pupils’ recorded responses to check understanding. Assessment considers both the scientific ideas children have learned and their developing understanding of scientific methods. Teachers use what they find to address misconceptions, adapt explanations and provide support or further challenge. Tasks and resources are adapted so that all pupils can participate and make progress.
Enrichment complements classroom teaching through purposeful outdoor learning, visitors, workshops, visits and events such as Science Week. Children also learn about scientists and the contributions of people from a range of backgrounds. These experiences broaden pupils’ understanding of where science is used while remaining connected to the knowledge taught in lessons.
Impact
Through science at St Jude’s, pupils will:
- know and remember the important scientific knowledge taught in each topic, making connections with earlier learning;
- use scientific vocabulary accurately to explain their ideas, observations and findings;
- ask relevant questions and use increasingly appropriate methods to investigate them;
- collect and interpret evidence, and explain conclusions with growing confidence;
- show curiosity about the natural world, confidence in practical work and a willingness to persevere;
- recognise how science relates to their own lives, their local environment and the wider world.
Teachers evaluate this impact through pupils’ discussions, practical work, responses in books, recall of earlier learning and assessment against the planned curriculum. The subject leader uses this evidence, alongside pupil voice and discussions with staff, to identify strengths and priorities for support. By the end of each key stage, we aim for pupils to know, apply and understand the relevant National Curriculum content and to be well prepared for the next stage of science learning.
Science Subject Overview
Science Progression Map
Medium term plans
Year 1
Year 1 – Science MTP – Spring – Everyday materials
Year 1 – Science MTP – Summer – Plants
Year 1 – Science MTP – Autumn – Animals, including humans
Year 1 – Science MTP – Throughout year – Seasonal Changes
Year 2
Year 2 – Science MTP – Spring – Plants
Year 2 – Science MTP – Spring – Uses of everyday materials
Year 2 – Science MTP – Autumn and Summer – Animals, inlcuding humans
Year 2 – Science MTP – Summer – Living Things and their Habitats
Year 3
Year 3 – Science MTP – Spring – Rocks
Year 3 – Science MTP – Spring – Plants
Year 3 – Science MTP – Summer – Light
Year 3 – Science MTP – Autumn – Forces and Magnets
Year 3 – Science MTP – Autumn – Animals including humans
Year 4
Year 4 – Science MTP – Spring – Electricity
Year 4 – Science MTP – Summer – Living things and their habitats
Year 4 – Science MTP – Summer – Animals, including humans
Year 4 – Science MTP – Autumn – States of Matter
Year 4 – Science MTP – Autumn – Sound
Year 5
Year 5 – Science MTP – Spring – Properties and changes of materials
Year 5- Science MTP – Summer – Living things and their habitats
Year 5 – Science MTP – Summer – Animals including humans
Year 5 – Science MTP – Autumn – Forces
Year 5 – Science MTP – Autumn- Earth and Space
Year 6
Year 6 – Science MTP – Spring – Electricity
Year 6 – Science MTP – Summer – Living things and their habitats
Year 6 – Science MTP – Summer – Evolution and Inheritance
Year 6 – Science MTP – Autumn – Light
Year 6 – Science MTP – Autumn – Animals, inlcuding humans
Websites to explore Science your child with music at home, click on each website to find out more
STEM Learning – Starters for Science: Simple activities for younger children using everyday materials, with ideas for talking about what they notice.
STEM Learning – Key Stage 2 science lessons: Short videos and activities linked to primary science topics.
Natural History Museum – Investigate at home: Ideas for observing and recording the natural world, including making a nature journal.
RSPB – Wild Challenge for families: Outdoor activities that encourage children to notice wildlife and care for nature.
Science Sparks – Easy science ideas at home: Practical investigations families can choose from together. An adult should check the materials and supervise the activity.
Explorify – science activities: Explore pictures, videos and questions together to spark curiosity and encourage children to explain their scientific thinking.
KS1 BBC Bitesize Science at home
KS2 BBC Bitesize Science at home
Wonderville – Making learning Science fun!
Fun Science and Technology for Kids!
BrainPop – Create more ‘aha’ moments together
Edheads – activate your Science mind
Nasa Kids club
National Geographic Kids
Exploratorium – feed you curiosity for Science
