Science

At our school, Science inspires children to be curious, confident and thoughtful investigators of the world around them. We want pupils to develop a strong foundation of scientific knowledge and vocabulary, alongside the ability to ask questions, test ideas, interpret evidence and explain their thinking. Through practical exploration and discussion, children learn that science is not just a body of facts, but a way of understanding how the world works, helping them to become informed, responsible citizens.

Our approach

We teach Science through a carefully sequenced and progressive curriculum that builds knowledge and skills step-by-step. We aim for all pupils to:

• Build secure scientific knowledge across biology, chemistry and physics, revisiting and strengthening key ideas over time. 
• Develop “Working Scientifically” skills so children learn how scientific knowledge is generated—through observation, testing, measuring, recording and concluding.
• Learn through enquiry, where lessons begin with meaningful questions that encourage prediction, reasoning and discussion. 
• Use scientific vocabulary accurately, with explicit teaching of key terms and opportunities to apply them in speaking and writing.
• Make links and remember more, using regular retrieval and revisiting prior learning so new knowledge sticks. 
• Work practically and safely, handling equipment appropriately and learning from real investigations and fair tests. 

Our Science lessons are designed to be hands-on and minds-on, developing children’s independence, resilience and confidence as they learn to refine ideas and explain results.

White Rose Science: our chosen scheme

To ensure clear progression, high-quality resources and consistent coverage across the school, we follow White Rose Science as our chosen scheme of work.
White Rose Science applies the same “small steps” approach used successfully in White Rose Maths, breaking learning into manageable chunks so pupils can build understanding securely and teachers can identify next steps effectively. 

The scheme supports our teaching by providing:

• National Curriculum alignment (Years 1–6), ensuring statutory coverage while sequencing knowledge carefully over time.
• Small-step schemes of learning organised into blocks and steps, allowing concepts to be taught, practised and consolidated thoroughly. 
• Explicit teacher guidance, including notes, key questions and “things to look out for” that highlight common misconceptions. 
• Strong vocabulary support, with child-friendly definitions and visuals to help pupils understand and use scientific language accurately.
• Practical ideas in every step, reflecting the scheme’s commitment to lessons being “hands-on, heads-on”. 
• Retrieval practice to strengthen memory, including lesson openers designed to revisit and secure prior learning. 
• Assessment opportunities, including end-of-block checks (where used) that help teachers spot misconceptions and plan responsive teaching. 
• Meaningful sustainability learning, with additional sustainability-focused units that support pupils to think about real-world issues such as plastic use, climate change and renewable energy. 

How children learn in Science

Science learning at our school is active, practical and discussion-rich. Children learn best when they can investigate ideas for themselves, so lessons regularly include opportunities to explore, test and reflect. Teaching typically includes:

• An enquiry question to spark curiosity and give learning a clear purpose.
• Practical investigation to develop understanding through doing (e.g., observing changes, testing materials, exploring forces).
• Working Scientifically in context, so pupils learn the skills of planning, observing, measuring, recording and concluding as part of real science tasks.
• High-quality scientific talk, where children explain predictions, justify ideas, use evidence and evaluate outcomes.
• Recording and presenting findings, using age-appropriate ways to capture results - drawings, tables, simple graphs and written explanations, helping pupils communicate like scientists. 
• Addressing misconceptions, using prompts and careful questioning to help children refine thinking and build accurate understanding.

We also make learning meaningful by encouraging children to see science in everyday life, connecting classroom learning to the wider world through seasonal change, local environment work and real-life applications.

Inclusion, curiosity and confidence

We want every child to succeed in Science. Teaching is planned to be inclusive and accessible, with clear modelling, carefully selected vocabulary support and practical approaches that help all pupils participate fully. White Rose Science is designed to support both specialist and non-specialist teachers with structured guidance and clear sequencing, helping to ensure consistency and confidence in delivery. 

Above all, we aim to nurture curiosity, independence and resilience, so children leave primary school with the knowledge, skills and enthusiasm to continue exploring the world scientifically.