Science

Curriculum Intent

Our intent for science is to inspire children to become curious, inquisitive and analytical thinkers with a broad understanding of the natural world – in other words, to think like scientists. Our intention is for children to develop the confidence to ask questions, make observations, carry out investigations, record data in a variety of ways and analyse and present their findings.

Our curriculum aims to build an awareness of how science influences everyday life and drives progress in society. The hope is to encourage pupils to become reflective, responsible individuals who use scientific knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and contribute positively to the world around them. We build the knowledge, language and skills throughout their scientific journey with us so they can build on their success within biology, chemistry and physics in secondary school and beyond in their future careers.

Science at St. Leonard's

At our school, we believe that science is a vital part of understanding the world around us. Through observation, investigation and discovery, our children develop curiosity, critical thinking skills and a lifelong love of learning. Our science curriculum is designed to inspire children to ask questions, explore ideas and make sense of the natural and physical world.

We follow the Kapow Primary Science Scheme of Work, which provides a broad, engaging and progressive curriculum covering all aspects of science. Through practical investigations and hands-on learning experiences, the children develop scientific knowledge alongside important enquiry and problem-solving skills.

We enrich our science curriculum in a variety of ways to bring learning to life beyond the classroom. The children have opportunities to take part in events such as our annual Science Fair, where they can showcase their investigations and discoveries. We also organise educational visits to exciting venues, including the National Space Centre, enabling children to experience science in real-world contexts and deepen their understanding of what they've learnt. 

If you have any science-related questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Cooke who leads the subject in our school. 

Working Scientifically

A vital part of the science curriculum is an aspect called 'Working Scientifically', where children develop the skills needed to think and work like a scientist. Rather than simply learning scientific facts, children are encouraged to ask questions, make predictions, carry out investigations, observe changes, gather and record data and draw conclusions from their findings.

We use the following acronym within school to support this:

Prediction

Equipment

Method

Results

Observations

Conclusion

Our children's opinions on science:

• 'I think Science is really interesting!'
• 'I think it is amazing because we look at lots of different things.'
• 'My favourite part is when we do experiments - we get to lead our own learning.'
• 'I like making predictions.'
• 'I loved it when we went to the National Space Centre - it brought our learning to life. We got to see it for ourselves.'
• 'I remember my learning in so many different ways: we look at what we've learnt at the beginning of the lesson, we do our KWL sheets and we have a look at our science journeys.'

Science priorities 2025-2026:

- To ensure that the assessment of science is accurate.

- To review the science curriculum to ensure that content is well-sequenced for progression. 

- To continue to monitor the quality of teaching and learning in science. 

How Can You Help Your Child with Science at Home?

Science is all around us, and there are many simple ways you can encourage your child's curiosity and scientific thinking at home.

- Encourage questions: Children are naturally curious, so encourage them to ask questions about the world around them and discuss possible answers together. Questions such as "Why does it rain?" or "How do plants grow?" can lead to great scientific conversations.

- Explore nature: Take opportunities to observe plants, animals, and seasonal changes during walks or visits to local parks. Discuss what you see and encourage your child to make observations and comparisons.

- Cook together: Cooking provides excellent opportunities to explore scientific concepts such as changes of state, mixing materials, measuring, and following instructions.

- Visit Science and Nature Attractions: Museums, zoos, aquariums, nature reserves and places such as the National Space Centre can inspire children and bring scientific learning to life.

- Watch and Read Together: Explore age-appropriate science books, documentaries, websites, and educational programmes. Discuss new facts and ideas and encourage your child to share what they have learned.

- Carry Out Simple Investigations: Try simple experiments at home, such as testing which materials float or sink, growing seeds, or investigating how shadows change throughout the day. Encourage your child to make predictions and talk about their results.

- Develop Scientific Vocabulary: Use scientific language in everyday conversations where appropriate. Words such as "observe", "predict", "compare", "classify", and "investigate" help children become more confident in discussing scientific ideas.

- Celebrate Curiosity: Most importantly, show enthusiasm for discovery and learning. There is no need to know all the answers—exploring questions together helps children develop confidence, resilience, and a lifelong interest in science.

Science in KS1

Science in KS2