Science

Intent:

At St. Edward’s, our Science curriculum places children at the heart of learning, rooted in our Catholic faith and inspired by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. We aim to develop a sense of awe, wonder and respect for the natural world, recognising it as part of God’s creation and our shared responsibility to care for it.

We are committed to delivering a broad, balanced and ambitious Science curriculum that nurtures the whole child—intellectually, spiritually, morally, socially and emotionally—ensuring that all pupils feel included and are supported to thrive within our learning community.

Our carefully designed Science curriculum:

Promotes high expectations for all learners and is fully inclusive, meeting the needs of every child regardless of starting point, background or need

Develops curious, articulate and analytical thinkers who can question, reason and explain scientific concepts with confidence

Ensures pupils gain secure scientific knowledge, practical skills and the cultural capital needed for future learning and life in an increasingly scientific and technological world

Encourages independent enquiry, enabling children to ask questions, make predictions, take risks and learn through investigation

Fosters resilience and perseverance through practical experimentation and problem-solving

Promotes respect for the environment and a growing understanding of stewardship, linking scientific learning to Gospel values and care for creation

Our Science curriculum is carefully sequenced to build on prior knowledge, ensuring progression in both substantive knowledge and disciplinary skills. Children are taught to work scientifically through observing, testing, gathering evidence and drawing conclusions, developing a secure understanding of key concepts over time.

Through engaging lessons, practical investigations and real-world contexts, we foster a lifelong love of Science and a fascination with the world around us.

We further enrich our Science provision through wider opportunities such as trips, visitors and hands-on experiences, making learning meaningful, memorable and connected to the wider world.

Pupil voice is central to our approach, ensuring children feel heard, valued and actively engaged in shaping their scientific learning experiences.

Implementation

Our Science curriculum is implemented through high-quality teaching, underpinned by clear structure, consistency and a strong emphasis on enquiry-based learning.

Learning is carefully sequenced and coherently planned, enabling pupils to build scientific knowledge progressively and make meaningful connections across topics and year groups

Teachers use structured, high-quality schemes and have a clear understanding of key concepts, vocabulary and end points to ensure rigour, consistency and progression in both substantive and disciplinary knowledge

Working scientifically is embedded across all areas of the curriculum, enabling pupils to develop skills in observing, questioning, predicting, testing, recording and drawing conclusions

Formative assessment is used effectively to check understanding, inform responsive teaching and address misconceptions promptly

Lessons are adapted to meet the needs of all learners, ensuring accessibility, appropriate challenge and support for every child

A strong emphasis is placed on scientific vocabulary and oracy, enabling pupils to explain their thinking clearly, justify ideas and engage in discussion using precise language

Opportunities for critical thinking and problem-solving are embedded, encouraging pupils to ask questions, analyse evidence and apply their learning in different contexts

Practical and Enquiry-Based Learning

Science is brought to life through:

Regular practical investigations, enabling hands-on exploration and deeper understanding of scientific concepts

Opportunities for pupils to design their own enquiries, fostering independence and curiosity

Use of real-world contexts to make learning relevant, engaging and meaningful

Wider Opportunities and Enrichment

Our Science curriculum is enriched through:

Trips, visitors and outdoor learning experiences that enhance engagement, deepen understanding and connect learning to the real world

Opportunities to explore environmental issues, promoting responsibility and stewardship of God’s creation

Links with STEM activities to broaden aspirations and develop cultural capital

Inclusion, Wellbeing and Personal Development

Our inclusive approach ensures all pupils can access and succeed in Science, regardless of starting point or need

Collaborative learning opportunities support social development, teamwork and communication skills

A focus on resilience and perseverance helps pupils learn from investigation outcomes and build confidence

Leadership and Continuous Improvement

Leaders, including the Science subject leader, play a key role in monitoring, evaluating and continually improving the curriculum. This ensures consistency, high expectations and strong outcomes in Science across the school.

We are committed to ongoing professional development, ensuring staff have the subject knowledge, confidence and expertise to deliver high-quality Science teaching while maintaining a sustainable and supportive workload.

Our Science Curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress. In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes (KPI’s);
A focused assessment for different working scientifically skills
Tracking of knowledge in pre and post learning quizzes (Quick Quizzes);

Pupil discussions about their learning.

Impact

The impact of our Science curriculum is seen in the development of confident, curious and knowledgeable learners who are well-equipped for the next stage of their education and for life in an increasingly scientific world.

Pupils at St. Edward’s:

Demonstrate secure and progressively developed scientific knowledge, with the ability to recall, apply and build upon prior learning

Use scientific vocabulary accurately and confidently to explain their thinking, present findings and engage in meaningful discussion

Show strong understanding of working scientifically skills, including questioning, predicting, testing, observing, recording and drawing conclusions

Are able to think critically, analyse evidence and make informed decisions based on their investigations

Demonstrate curiosity, independence and resilience when approaching scientific enquiry and problem-solving

Have a growing awareness of the relevance of science in everyday life and the wider world

Assessment is used effectively to monitor progress and attainment, ensuring that all pupils achieve well from their individual starting points. Gaps in learning are quickly identified and addressed, enabling all learners to succeed.

The impact of our curriculum also extends beyond academic outcomes. Pupils develop:

A sense of awe and wonder about the natural world

A strong understanding of their responsibility to care for the environment, rooted in our Catholic ethos and the principle of stewardship

The confidence to articulate their ideas and engage respectfully with the views of others

Pupil voice demonstrates that children enjoy Science, feel engaged in their learning and value the opportunities to explore, investigate and discover.

Through our carefully sequenced, inclusive and knowledge-rich curriculum, pupils leave St. Edward’s as enthusiastic learners with the skills, understanding and confidence to continue their scientific journey and contribute positively to the world around them.