Our Science Curriculum

We follow the Kapow Primary Science scheme of work, which provides a progressive curriculum and supports full coverage of the National Curriculum from Year 1 to Year 6. 

Our curriculum develops children's learning through three interconnected areas:

• Scientific knowledge and understanding: observing, studying and explaining the physical world.
• Working scientifically: using different methods of scientific enquiry to investigate and understand the world around us.
• Science in action: understanding how science is used and the impact it has on our everyday lives. 

Through these areas, children develop secure scientific knowledge alongside the practical skills and scientific thinking needed to investigate questions and explain what they discover.

Our aims

Through our science curriculum, we aim to enable every child to:

• develop curiosity and enthusiasm for science;
• acquire secure scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding;
• ask questions and recognise how these can be investigated scientifically;
• plan and carry out different types of scientific enquiry;
• observe, measure, classify, compare and identify patterns;
• collect, record and interpret scientific information;
• use appropriate scientific vocabulary to explain their thinking;
• draw conclusions and use evidence to support their ideas;
• understand how science is used in everyday life;
• recognise the importance of science in our changing world; and
• experience awe and wonder as they explore and develop their understanding of God's creation.

How we teach Science

Science at St Cuthbert Mayne is practical, purposeful and progressive. Wherever appropriate, children learn through first-hand investigations and experiences. They are encouraged to ask questions, make predictions, observe carefully, carry out investigations and use their findings to draw conclusions.

Our Kapow curriculum provides a coherent progression of scientific knowledge and investigative skills. At Key Stage Two, for example, Kapow's units progressively develop learning across areas including plants; animals, including humans; living things and their habitats; materials; forces; and Earth and space, alongside opportunities to make connections through scientific enquiry. 

Children are encouraged to communicate their scientific thinking in different ways, using appropriate vocabulary, diagrams, tables, graphs and written explanations as they become increasingly confident scientists.

Our indoor and outdoor environments provide further opportunities for children to observe, explore and investigate science in meaningful contexts.

Working Scientifically

Working scientifically is at the heart of our curriculum.

As children progress through the school, they develop increasingly sophisticated enquiry skills. Younger children begin by asking simple questions, observing, identifying and classifying, and carrying out simple tests.

As they become more experienced, pupils develop their ability to plan investigations, make increasingly accurate measurements, gather and present data, identify patterns, draw conclusions and evaluate evidence.

In Key Stage Two, Kapow's curriculum combines the development of scientific knowledge with investigative skills, with structured opportunities for scientific enquiry. 

Science in EYFS

Scientific understanding begins in the Early Years through Understanding the World.

Our youngest children are encouraged to be curious about their surroundings. Through play, exploration, observation and first-hand experiences, they encounter plants, animals, materials, seasonal change and the natural environment.

These experiences provide important foundations for the scientific knowledge, vocabulary and enquiry skills children will develop as they progress through the school.

Science in Key Stage One

In Years 1 and 2, children develop their observation and questioning skills while building their scientific knowledge.

They learn to observe closely, use simple equipment, perform tests, identify and classify, gather and record information and use their observations to suggest answers to questions.

Learning includes areas such as:

• plants;
• animals, including humans;
• everyday materials;
• living things and their habitats; and
• seasonal changes.

Science in Key Stage Two

Throughout Years 3 to 6, children's scientific knowledge and investigative skills become increasingly sophisticated.

They learn to ask increasingly complex questions, select appropriate methods of enquiry, carry out comparative and fair tests, make accurate measurements and present their findings clearly.

Older pupils increasingly use evidence to draw conclusions, make predictions, explain relationships and consider the reliability of their results.

The Kapow Primary KS2 programme builds progression in knowledge and investigative skills across Years 3 to 6. 

Enrichment

We believe that memorable experiences can inspire children to see themselves as scientists.

Our wider science provision has included opportunities to meet scientists and learn about careers in science, educational visits, a St. Cuthbert Manye Science fair and participation in our Trust Science fair.

These experiences help children understand that science extends far beyond the classroom and encourage them to recognise its relevance to their lives and their future.