Impact 

• Children develop curiosity and confidence, asking relevant questions and considering how these could be investigated. 

• Children build and retain scientific knowledge, making connections between topics and applying their understanding in new contexts. 

• Children become increasingly independent in choosing suitable types of enquiry and planning and carrying out investigations. 

• Children use evidence to explain their findings and draw conclusions. They recognise when results do not support a prediction and suggest ways to improve their investigations. 

• Children use scientific vocabulary with increasing accuracy to explain ideas and communicate their understanding. 

• Children recognise how science helps us understand everyday life and respond to challenges in the wider world. 

• Children learn to consider evidence, question information and make informed decisions. 

• Children develop an awareness of the range of people who work in science and the careers that scientific learning can support. 

• Children see science as relevant and accessible, recognising that their own questions and ideas have value. 

• Children make progress in both scientific knowledge and enquiry skills throughout their time at Burleyfields Primary School. 

• By the end of Year 6, children have a secure foundation for the demands of Key Stage 3. 

• Children leave Burleyfields Primary School with enquiring minds, confidence in their ability to investigate and an enthusiasm for continuing their scientific learning. 

Intent 

At Burleyfields Primary School, science encourages children to explore, question and make sense of the world around them. Using the progressive framework provided by Developing Experts, we build scientific knowledge, practical skills and curiosity from the Early Years onwards. Our lessons support children to become inquisitive, analytical and independent thinkers who recognise the relevance of science in everyday life. 

At Burleyfields Primary School, we believe that a high-quality, knowledge-rich science education should nurture children’s natural curiosity about themselves and the world around them. We aim to: 

• Develop secure scientific knowledge and understanding through a carefully sequenced curriculum. 

• Inspire children to ask questions, explore ideas and seek explanations through scientific enquiry. 

• Build the practical skills needed to investigate, observe, measure, record and evaluate. 

• Develop scientific vocabulary so that children can explain their thinking clearly and accurately. 

• Help children make connections between their learning, everyday experiences and the wider world. 

• Broaden children’s ‘science capital’—their experiences, knowledge and awareness of science—and introduce the possibilities that science offers for future learning and careers. 

Implementation 

Our science curriculum follows the National Curriculum and is supported by the Developing Experts scheme of work. Teaching draws on our evidence informed pedagogy model, including reviewing prior learning, introducing new material in manageable steps, modelling clearly and checking understanding. 

• Learning is carefully sequenced so that children build on previous knowledge and develop an increasingly secure understanding of key scientific concepts. 

• In the Early Years, children explore the natural world through purposeful play, observation, discussion and practical experiences. 

• At the beginning of each topic, teachers explore children’s existing knowledge, questions and ideas. This helps identify misconceptions and make meaningful connections to new learning. 

• Scientific enquiry is central to our approach. Children regularly observe over time, identify and classify, look for patterns, carry out comparative and fair tests, and research using secondary sources. 

• Practical investigations give children opportunities to make predictions, select equipment, collect and record evidence, interpret results and draw conclusions. Independence develops progressively as children move through the school. 

• Scientific vocabulary is explicitly taught, modelled and revisited, helping children discuss ideas and communicate their findings accurately. 

• Regular questioning, discussion and assessment help teachers check what children know, address misconceptions and identify next steps. 

• Links to everyday life, scientific careers and opportunities beyond the classroom help children understand the purpose and possibilities of science. 

Inclusion 

All children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), are supported to participate in scientific learning. Appropriate resources, explicit vocabulary teaching, modelling and scaffolding help children access practical enquiries and communicate their understanding. Tasks provide support and challenge in response to individual needs.