Intent

At St Mary’s C of E Primary School, we aim to cultivate a lifelong curiosity and inquisitive nature in all our pupils. Our science curriculum fosters a deep respect for the living and non-living world, encouraging children to explore and question the universe around them.

We believe science is not only the acquisition of knowledge and concepts but also the development of skills and positive attitudes. Throughout each programme of study, children will gain and deepen key scientific knowledge, which is carefully mapped across mixed-age classes and aligned with the National Curriculum. These knowledge milestones build progressively towards clearly defined end points.  Alongside this, key scientific skills are developed systematically and progressively in line with the “Working Scientifically” strand of the National Curriculum. Our curriculum ensures that pupils in mixed-age settings access a broad and balanced science education, with progression carefully planned across year groups and key stages.

Children acquire key scientific knowledge through practical, hands-on experiences—using equipment, conducting investigations, building arguments, and explaining concepts confidently. We tailor our approach to reflect our local context, incorporating opportunities to work with science professionals and visit places of scientific interest, as part of our commitment to learning beyond the classroom.  Cross-curricular links are also identified and embedded to strengthen contextual understanding. Through a supportive school ethos and an exciting, varied science curriculum, we nurture a love of science and encourage all children to remain curious about the world around them.

Implementation

At St Mary’s, teachers create a positive, high-expectation environment for science learning, believing that all pupils are capable of achieving excellence in the subject.  We follow the Kapow Primary mixed-age scheme of learning, which is carefully designed to meet the needs of our mixed-age classes while ensuring full coverage of the National Curriculum.

This approach supports a clear and coherent progression of knowledge and skills across all year groups, enabling pupils to revisit and build upon prior learning in a structured way.  Regular opportunities for retrieval practice are built into lessons and reinforced through our Forest School curriculum, which provides rich, first-hand learning experiences throughout the year.

Our Forest School setting enhances science learning by allowing children to:

• Observe and investigate seasonal changes

• Explore the properties of materials

• Study plants, habitats, birds, and animals in their natural environment

These practical experiences strengthen children’s scientific understanding while developing a meaningful connection to the world around them.

Impact

Our robust assessment framework supports a fun, engaging, and high-quality science education. It equips children with the foundational knowledge and skills to understand and appreciate the natural and human-made world. Learning is enriched through regular outdoor, hands-on experiences in the local environment and enhanced by engagement with science professionals, offering real-world insights and positive role models from both local and broader communities.  At St Mary’s, we also celebrate key events such as British Science Week and Females in Science Day, which raise aspirations, promote inclusivity, and inspire the next generation of scientists.  Through our assessment-informed approach and rich, inclusive curriculum, pupils leave St Mary’s with a confident understanding of scientific ideas and a curiosity-driven mindset that prepares them for future learning and life.