Intent

The National Curriculum states, “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.” 

The national curriculum for science aims to ensure that all pupils: 

• 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. 

• are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future. 

At St Laurence’s our science curriculum is designed with the intent of fostering a deep curiosity and understanding of the natural world in our young learners. Aligned with the National Curriculum, we aim to inspire a lifelong love for science while developing essential skills and knowledge. 

Through engaging lessons and hands-on activities, we seek to cultivate a sense of wonder and inquiry, encouraging students to ask questions, make predictions, and explore the world around them. Our curriculum is structured to cover key scientific concepts, including the properties of materials, living organisms, Earth and space, and physical processes. 

We are committed to providing a well-rounded science education that integrates practical experiments, real-world applications, and cross-curricular links. By doing so, we aim to enhance not only scientific knowledge but also critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. 

Implementation

Early Years Foundation Stage

In the Foundation Stage, children are taught Science through the key area of learning set out within the EYFS Statutory Framework.

Through a broad range of teacher-led, child-initiated and continuous learning opportunities, children will be taught to: 

. Use their senses to investigate a range of objects and materials

. Find out about, identify and observe the different features of living things, objects and worldly events

. Look closely at similarities, differences, patterns and change

. Ask questions about why things happen and why things work

. Develop their communication and co-operation skills

. Talk about their findings, sometimes recording them

. Identify and find out about features of the place they live and in the natural world around them.

Key stage 1 and 2

At St Laurence’s we use Whiterose science which is designed to provide a broad and balanced coverage of the three main scientific disciplines: biology, chemistry, and physics. The curriculum is sequenced progressively, ensuring that key concepts and scientific skills are built upon systematically from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2, allowing for smooth progression. Curriculum planning considers opportunities for cross-curricular links, providing authentic contexts for science learning and reinforcing connections with other subjects.

Science is taught for one hour per week, with a focus on hands-on, enquiry based and experimental learning. By using carefully planned and sequenced lessons, teachers are able to deliver high-quality lessons which are inclusive to all learners within the school. Students are encouraged to problem-solve and ask questions about their learning.

We are focused on leading engaging lessons which incorporate practical investigations and experiments as they are an integral part of the curriculum. Whiterose lessons are carefully designed to develop scientific skills such as hypothesising, predicting, observing, measuring, and evaluating.