Science
Scroll down to find Curriculum Maps for Science
Intent (Why we learn…)
St Saviour’s Catholic Primary and Nursery School recognises and values the importance of science and scientific enquiry to develop a fun, practical and engaging high-quality curriculum that inspires the next generation to succeed and excel in science.
- To be enthusiastic, inquisitive, lifelong learners: we ensure that the ‘Working Scientifically’ skills are built-on and developed throughout the children’s time at the school so that they can apply their knowledge of science when using equipment, conducting memorable experiments and investigations; asking questions to be curious, inquisitive and excited by the sciences.
- To be strong communicators: we encourage children to build arguments and explain concepts confidently, being familiar with scientific terminology.
- To be well-rounded, independent and resilient learners with aspirations: we believe that having secure scientific knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes help to build independent and resilient learners with aspirations for the future which have been inspired by scientists and whole school science celebrations, alongside high-quality lessons.
- To develop and use their God given talents by being creative: we provide opportunities for children to use their God given talents within science to think creatively, ask questions, and foster a healthy curiosity and interest within science. This helps them discover their passions, relating to real world experiences, in different ways to cater to the needs and uniqueness of all pupils.
- To be responsible citizens who are eager to make a positive contribution to their community and wider society: we aim to create children who are eager to ask and answer scientific questions about the world around them, to make a positive impact within the wider society and understand what it means to be a successful scientist and make change in the world.
Children are provided with scientific texts within classroom reading corners, to promote a love of reading, offer a variety of genres and to capture the scientific minds of children. Classes will also explore high quality and engaging texts with scientific concepts within guided reading and writing sessions.
Implementation (How we teach...)
At St Saviour’s, we use the National Curriculum to ensure every teacher teaches the knowledge and understanding appropriate to that age group within science. We believe in having high expectations for all children through ‘Quality First’ teaching.
Teachers plan the curriculum for their year group and use knowledge organisers to help support with key concepts and vocabulary. In Y1-Y6, we explore a topic each half term and science lessons are delivered on a weekly basis. In EYFS, children are exposed to scientific concepts through ‘Understanding the World’ within continuous provision and direct teaching.
In key stage 1 and key stage 2 we use ‘Twinkl’ to plan objectives and support with resourcing; our curriculum is well mapped out to ensure it is not only engaging and relevant, but also cohesive so learning is built upon year by year.
‘Working Scientifically’ skills are embedded into lessons to ensure these skills are being developed throughout a child’s school career, and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through direct teaching. Through enrichment days, such as ‘science week’, we promote this subject effectively. Teachers use enhancement opportunities to help further develop children’s understanding, such as the use of workshops with experts and educational trips. In the autumn term year 5 experienced ‘Chemistry with Cabbage’ learning about materials and their properties through experiments. In the summer term, year 4 will have the opportunity to experience a Urenco workshop where they will sort materials in practical activities including sieving, chromatography, testing for acids and alkalis and the use of a centrifuge.
Children are supported throughout lessons and the use of ongoing assessment for learning and feedback to children enables teachers to address misconceptions and ensure progression within lessons. This will then inform planning for future lessons and identifies where further individual or group support is needed. We use the ‘Sonar’ software package to track pupil progress and attainment in science along with using a summative topic test at the end of each half term.
The science curriculum provides children with memorable experiences, diverse and rich opportunities from which they can learn and develop a range of skills. We aim for children at St Saviour’s to develop scientific minds and a passion for learning more about this subject.
Impact (As a result…)
The teaching of science at St Saviour’s results in a fun, engaging and high-quality science education, that provides children with the foundations for understanding the world. The impact of our science curriculum can be seen in the pupil’s books; as well as in pupil data, through pupil voice and whole school initiatives which are evidenced on Tapestry.
Outcomes for all groups of pupils within the school are improving. Everything we do has the child at the centre, and strong relationships are built between pupils and staff within lessons and extra-curricular activities such as ‘science club’, which creates an atmosphere for learning.
Pupils’ progress in science is measured through ongoing assessments at the end of each half term and learning tasks are planned to address misconceptions and gaps in learning.
Pupils not only leave St Saviour’s with a secure understanding of the science curriculum; but also, with the understanding of how to be citizens in the wider world, who are responsible and aware; make positive contributions to our community and how to endeavour to be the best that they can be. They leave being pupils who are reflective, skilful, ambitious; who demonstrate a love of learning, questioning and proving scientific concepts and have an interest and curiosity in further study of science.
Understanding the World in EYFS
FS1 children love to explore and find things out!
FS1 children have been exploring autumn and looking at the colours of nature in the environment. The children went on an acorn hunt and enjoyed free play in the new forest school setting. We picked blackberries and we had these in porridge cooked on the fire.
Some children created paintings using autumn colours.
FS1 looked for signs of autumn during their forest schools activity and then went into the classroom to look for autumn colours from the 'treasure' that they had found! They used soil and water to make handprints too!
FS2 have been using leaves and other natural materials to explore and create prints.
A child in FS2 said “I’m a scientist. They discover stuff. I’m making a potion to turn you into a cat.”
Children helped to plant and water the plants with Mrs Rooney.
Children in FS2 like to ask questions to find things out...
'Where do frogs live?'
'What are frogs before they become frogs?'
Key stage 1 and 2
Autumn term 2025
Year 1 looked around school to see what animals they could see. They used a chart to find out the type of animal it was and talked about why they didn’t see some types of animals around school.
They then explored the characteristics of animals:
Year 1 enjoyed using their senses to explore the natural environment during their forest school session.
Year 1 have been learning about herbivores, carnivores and omnivores.
Year 3
Year 3 enjoyed looking at the different ways we can group rocks according to their properties and appearance.
Year 4
Children learnt more about vertebrates and we recapped how they can be grouped into mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and birds. Each group sorted the animals into the correct group using their key characteristics to help them. We then sorted animals based on their characteristics using a Venn diagram and Carroll diagram.
Year 5
Urenco came to do an interactive science lesson with year 5. They had the chance to filter materials, test whether different substances were acids or alkalis and try chromatography. ‘I loved the activity where we saw what colours were inside a black felt tip’ Finn ‘I like science because when I experiment, I learn something new and Urenco inspires me to be a scientist’ Nana
Year 6
To learn about how animals adapt for survival, Year 6 carried out an investigation where they pretended to be birds with different beaks (using different tools such as spoons, tweezers, scissors). The 'birds' had to fight for survival by using their 'beak' to collect as much 'food' (marshmallows, dog treats, seeds, peas) as possible before the other 'birds' in their group. Year 6 discussed the results and looked closely at Darwin's Finches.
