01. Science Curriculum

At Barnes Primary School, we aim to inspire curiosity and develop a deep understanding of the world through a high-quality science education. Our curriculum is designed to ensure all pupils acquire both substantive knowledge (key scientific concepts) and disciplinary knowledge (working scientifically), enabling them to think, question and investigate like scientists.

The curriculum is ambitious, coherently sequenced and inclusive, building progressively from Nursery to Year 6. Learning begins with exploration and language development in EYFS and develops into structured scientific enquiry in Key Stage 2. Pupils gain a secure understanding of biology, chemistry and physics, while recognising the relevance of science in real-life contexts and future careers.

We place a strong emphasis on:

• Developing curiosity and questioning
• Building scientific vocabulary and communication
• Applying knowledge through practical enquiry and real-world experiences
• Ensuring all pupils can access and succeed within the same ambitious curriculum

This ensures pupils are well prepared for the next stage of learning, enabling a confident transition to Key Stage 3 where they can engage with more complex scientific concepts, apply prior knowledge and work with increasing independence.

Science is taught weekly as a discrete subject, with strong cross-curricular links to enhance understanding and provide meaningful context.

The curriculum is carefully structured to ensure:

• Clear progression in biology, chemistry, physics and working scientifically
• Knowledge is revisited and built upon over time
• Pupils move from exploration to independent investigation

Teaching is underpinned by:

• A focus on practical, hands-on learning and enquiry
• Explicit teaching of scientific vocabulary
• Use of knowledge maps to support retention and connections between topics
• Regular opportunities to recall prior learning and apply knowledge

Children are also exposed to a diverse range of past and present scientists, helping them understand the contributions of different individuals and see science as a subject that is relevant, inclusive and reflective of the wider world.

Assessment is:

• Formative and purposeful, using questioning, observation and low-stakes checks
• Designed to identify misconceptions and inform teaching

Teachers are supported through:

• Clear curriculum planning and progression documents
• High-quality resources and STEM links
• Ongoing CPD and subject-specific guidance

Enrichment opportunities enhance learning and include:

• Forest School and outdoor learning
• A forces and electricity focus day to enrich the KS1 curriculum with physics teaching

• Educational visits (e.g. London Zoo, Kew Gardens, Royal Observatory)

• Talks from parents and visitors who work in STEM related fields
• Spring of Science – including science shows, live lessons, STEM workshops and a range of activities linked to British Science Week.

This ensures pupils experience science as a relevant, engaging and practical subject.

As a result of this approach, pupils develop secure scientific knowledge and enquiry skills over time.

Pupils:

• Know more and remember more, with knowledge embedded through revisiting and application
• Can recall prior learning, make connections and apply understanding in new contexts
• Use scientific vocabulary accurately to explain their thinking
• Understand how science applies to the real world and use their knowledge in relevant, real-life contexts
• Recognise the contributions of a diverse range of past and present scientists and their impact on the world
• Show increasing confidence in:
  • Asking questions
  • Planning and carrying out investigations
  • Drawing conclusions using evidence

Work in books and pupil voice demonstrate:

• Clear progression in knowledge and skills
• A balance of conceptual understanding and enquiry
• High levels of engagement and curiosity

All pupils, including those with SEND and additional needs, are able to:

• Access the full curriculum
• Make meaningful progress from their starting points

By the end of Year 6, pupils leave Barnes Primary as confident, independent learners who are:

• Equipped with strong scientific knowledge
• Skilled in working scientifically
• Ready to meet the demands of Key Stage 3.

• Practical and hands-on: Science teaching and learning uses practical hands-on resources.

• Range of enquiry: Children develop a full range of enquiry skills. Teachers are confident teaching enquiry and understand progression.

• Subject knowledge: Teachers show an interest in science. Concepts and knowledge are firmly secured for both children and teachers. Common pupil misconceptions are known.

• Exciting: Teachers are creative and imaginative in their approach to teaching science. Children are excited about their learning in science.

• Real life: Science provision relates to real life contexts and experiences. This includes working in an outdoor environment and trips.

• Questions: Children are encouraged to be curious and pose questions. They have the opportunity to answer their own questions through practical enquiry.

• Language: Children have a secure understanding of key vocabulary and use it with precision and confidence.

• Curriculum links: links are made across the curriculum to enhance and promote scientific understanding.

• Progress: All children make progress in their scientific knowledge and skills. Good use is made of assessment to inform further teaching.

• Famous Scientists: Children are aware of famous scientists, their fields of work and their impact on society.

• Future: Children see themselves as scientists; they are aware of the role of science in daily life and are aware that science offers opportunities for future jobs.

Overview

• Curriculum planned from Nursery to Year 6 with clear progression
• Develops both substantive knowledge (scientific concepts) and disciplinary knowledge (working scientifically)
• Ensures pupils are prepared for the challenge and independence of KS3.

Progression Through the Curriculum

• EYFS: exploration, observation and language development through play and real-world experiences
• KS1: identification, description and simple enquiry
• KS2: investigation, analysis and evaluation through increasingly independent enquiry
• Clear progression from exploration to independent scientific thinking.

Substantive Knowledge (What Pupils Know)

• Biology: plants, animals, humans, habitats and evolution
• Chemistry: materials, properties, states of matter and changes
• Physics: forces, light, sound, electricity and space
• Concepts are revisited and deepened over time to ensure secure understanding.

Disciplinary Knowledge (Working Scientifically)

• Asking questions and making predictions
• Planning and carrying out fair tests
• Observing, measuring and recording data
• Analysing results and drawing conclusions using evidence
• Understanding how scientific knowledge is developed and applied.

STEM and Real-World Application

• STEM integrated across the curriculum linking science with maths and technology
• Application through trips and enrichment such as Forest School, Kew Gardens and The Royal Observatory
• Workshops and Spring of Science develop curiosity and problem solving
• Talks from parents and visiting professionals working in STEM fields inspire pupils and provide real-world insight into STEM careers.

Children are also exposed to a diverse range of past and present scientists, helping them understand the contributions of different individuals and see science as a subject that is relevant, inclusive and reflective of the wider world.

Vocabulary and Retention

• Scientific vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited
• Knowledge maps support retention and connections between topics
• Retrieval strategies ensure pupils remember and apply learning over time.

KS3 Readiness by End of Year 6

• Secure understanding of key scientific concepts across all disciplines
• Ability to plan and carry out independent investigations
• Confidence in explaining ideas using precise scientific vocabulary
• Ability to think critically, apply knowledge and work independently.