Science

INTENT:

At St Stephen’s Catholic Primary School, our Science curriculum inspires children to develop a sense of awe and wonder about the world God has created. Guided by our mission statement, “Love like Jesus. Learn like Jesus. Live like Jesus,” we nurture curious, resilient and compassionate learners who recognise their unique God-given gifts and use them to explore, question and understand the world around them.

Our curriculum provides the foundations for understanding the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics through engaging, practical and enquiry-based learning. We believe that every child should experience the excitement of scientific discovery and develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to become independent thinkers who can make informed decisions about the world and their future.

Science plays a vital role in preparing our pupils for life in an ever-changing society. Through rich scientific experiences, children develop critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration and communication skills whilst gaining an appreciation of how science improves lives and shapes the future. We actively promote equality of opportunity by ensuring all pupils, regardless of background or starting point, have access to a broad, balanced and ambitious Science curriculum that enables them to thrive.

Our curriculum is designed to address the barriers that some pupils may face, including gaps in language and vocabulary, limited opportunities to experience the wider world, social and emotional needs and interruptions to learning. We place a strong emphasis on developing scientific vocabulary, oracy and practical enquiry so that every child is empowered to communicate their ideas confidently and achieve success. Through high expectations, carefully planned adaptations and enriching experiences, we foster a lifelong love of learning whilst encouraging pupils to appreciate the importance of science in caring for God’s creation and serving their local and global communities.

IMPLEMENTATION:

Science is taught through carefully sequenced lessons that are fully aligned to the National Curriculum and build progressively on prior knowledge. Each year group studies biology, chemistry and physics through six lessons each half term, providing sufficient time to develop secure conceptual understanding alongside the skills of scientific enquiry.

At the heart of our curriculum is the belief that children learn science best by asking questions, investigating, observing and reflecting. Lessons are designed around practical experiences that encourage curiosity and enable pupils to work scientifically by observing over time, identifying and classifying, recognising patterns, carrying out comparative and fair tests and using secondary sources to research scientific ideas.

Teachers create an inclusive learning environment where all pupils are challenged and supported to achieve highly. Learning is carefully adapted to meet the needs of every child through effective questioning, scaffolded learning, collaborative activities and practical investigation. Particular attention is given to developing scientific vocabulary and oracy, enabling pupils to explain their thinking using accurate scientific language and increasing confidence for those with identified language and communication needs.

Recognising that some pupils have experienced barriers to learning, including limited opportunities beyond the classroom, lower attendance or social and emotional challenges, we provide engaging, hands-on learning experiences that motivate children and build confidence. Through practical investigations, discussion, teamwork and opportunities for independent enquiry, pupils develop resilience, curiosity and perseverance whilst experiencing success in science.

Working Scientifically skills are embedded throughout every unit and revisited progressively across each year group so that pupils become increasingly confident in selecting equipment, planning investigations, recording observations, analysing results and drawing evidence-based conclusions.

Enrichment is an integral part of our curriculum. Science Week, Forest School, outdoor learning, educational visits, visitors and cross-curricular projects broaden children’s understanding of science within their local, national and global communities. These experiences develop cultural capital, deepen scientific understanding and help pupils appreciate the relevance of science within everyday life, future careers and stewardship of the natural world.

Strong partnerships with families further enhance learning through opportunities to celebrate science beyond the classroom and encourage curiosity within the home, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to flourish.

IMPACT:

Our Science curriculum develops enthusiastic, knowledgeable and confident learners who are equipped with the scientific knowledge, enquiry skills and vocabulary needed for the next stage of their education.

Children leave St Stephen’s with a secure understanding of scientific concepts and an ability to think critically, ask thoughtful questions and communicate their ideas with confidence. They demonstrate resilience, independence and collaboration whilst applying scientific knowledge to solve problems and make sense of the world around them.

By removing barriers to participation through high-quality teaching, purposeful adaptations and meaningful enrichment opportunities, all pupils, including disadvantaged learners and those with additional needs, are enabled to achieve well and develop confidence in their own abilities. Pupils develop wider cultural capital through first-hand experiences that inspire ambition and broaden aspirations, recognising that science offers opportunities for everyone.

Most importantly, our pupils develop a lifelong curiosity about God’s world and understand their responsibility to care for creation and contribute positively to society. Through living out our mission to ‘Love like Jesus, Learn like Jesus and Live like Jesus’, they leave St Stephen’s as compassionate, inquisitive and responsible young people who are ready to embrace future learning and use their talents to make a positive difference in their communities and beyond.