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Science
Science Curriculum
Intent
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.
Implementation
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.
Impact
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.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is embedded throughout the curriculum, enabling pupils to make meaningful connections between science, mathematics and technology.
Learning is brought to life through a range of enriching experiences, including Forest School, visits to Kew Gardens and the Royal Observatory, and participation in workshops and the annual Spring of Science programme. These opportunities encourage curiosity, creativity and problem-solving, while talks from parents and visiting professionals working in STEM-related fields help pupils understand the real-world applications of their learning and inspire future aspirations.
The Royal Institution
Pupils experience exciting, high-quality science shows that bring scientific concepts to life through demonstrations, experiements and interactive learning.
These engaging presentations spark curiosity, inspire wonder and encourage children to think like scientists by asking questions, making predictions and exploring the world around them.
The Royal Observatory
Visits to the Royal Observatory provide pupils with the opportunity to explore astronomy, space science and the history of scientific discovery. Through hands-on workshops and interactive exhibits, children develop their understanding of topics such as the Earth, Moon and Sun, while experiencing how observation, inquiry and evidence have shaped our understanding of the universe.
Kew Gardens
Learning at Kew Gardens enables pupils to deepen their understanding of plant science, biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Through workshops and exploration of Kew’s world-renowned botanical collections, pupils see science in action and gain first-hand experience of how scientists study, protect and conserve the natural world.
STEM Professionals and Parent Talks
Pupils are regularly inspired by talks from parents and visiting professionals working in STEM-related careers.
These have included scientists, doctors, engineers and technology specialists, who share their experiences and explain how science is used in everyday life and the workplace. These real-world encounters help pupils to see the relevance of their learning, broaden their aspirations and raise awareness of the diverse opportunities available within STEM fields.
A variety of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities and resources that can be used to support children’s education at home.
Science resources from the BBC.
Science resources from National Geographic Kids.
Each story in Research Champions is written for children aged 8+ about a real scientist and their discoveries that they have made in the last five years, so the stories reflect the highlights of science right now.
A Scientist Just Like Me provides illustrated examples of the diversity in science-related jobs.
Royal Institution YouTube Channel
Videos and science experiments from the Royal Institution.
The Royal Institution of Great Britain is an organisation for scientific education and research, based in the City of Westminster.
