At Castle Primary School, we aim to develop inquisitive learners who question and explore the world around them and beyond. Through nurturing curiosity and encouraging questioning, we inspire children to develop their own lines of enquiry and investigate scientific concepts independently.
We believe that working scientifically is at the heart of effective science education. The skills required to plan, test, observe, measure, classify, evaluate and draw conclusions are embedded throughout our curriculum, enabling our young scientists to become confident and capable investigators.
Our pupils develop a broad and secure knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics through the National Curriculum. They learn about significant scientists whose discoveries have shaped our understanding of the world, alongside modern scientists working in a range of diverse fields. Through practical demonstrations, high-quality teaching and visits from experts, children gain a deeper appreciation of science and its relevance to everyday life.
We enhance learning through experiences beyond the classroom, including visits to farms, coastlines, wildlife sanctuaries and science museums. These opportunities provide authentic contexts for learning, deepen understanding and inspire future scientific interests and careers.
Science knowledge and skills are carefully sequenced from EYFS to Year 6, ensuring clear progression across all areas of learning. We aim for children to build upon prior knowledge, make meaningful connections and develop a deeper understanding of scientific concepts over time. Where appropriate, science is linked with wider curriculum topics and Forest School experiences to enrich understanding and provide purposeful, real-world applications.
At Castle Primary School, we recognise the importance of protecting our planet. We strive to instil respect, responsibility and admiration for the natural world, empowering children with the knowledge and understanding needed to make informed choices and positively influence the future of our environment.
Science is taught from Years 1 to 6 through three or four carefully planned units each year, delivered through regular weekly lessons to ensure children have opportunities to revisit and strengthen key knowledge and skills over time. Teaching is informed by the National Curriculum and the Castle Discovery Curriculum, ensuring progression in both substantive knowledge and disciplinary knowledge.
Our curriculum is designed to be creative, engaging and practical, fostering children’s natural curiosity about the world. Teachers create safe and supportive learning environments where pupils feel confident to ask questions, investigate ideas and develop scientific understanding.
Key features of our approach include:
Carefully Sequenced Knowledge and Skills
Units are planned around clearly identified key concepts and scientific skills. Lessons are sequenced so that knowledge builds progressively and children are given explicit opportunities to develop and apply skills such as planning investigations, measuring accurately, testing hypotheses, classifying, recording results and drawing evidence-based conclusions. Prior learning is regularly revisited to strengthen long-term retention and support connections across the curriculum.
Vocabulary-Rich Learning
The explicit teaching of scientific vocabulary is central to our curriculum. Children are introduced to precise subject-specific language and are encouraged to use it confidently through discussion, practical investigations, written work and classroom displays. This supports both scientific understanding and effective communication.
Enquiry-Based Learning and Working Scientifically
Children are actively engaged in practical science through an enquiry-led approach. They are encouraged to ask questions, make predictions, plan investigations and gather evidence.
Opportunities to develop Working Scientifically skills are embedded throughout every unit, including:
As pupils progress through the school, they become increasingly independent in selecting appropriate methods, equipment and ways of presenting their findings.
Cross-Curricular Learning
Science is a key driver within our curriculum. Strong links are made with computing, design and technology, geography and Forest School learning to provide meaningful opportunities for children to apply their scientific understanding in real-world contexts. Through collaborative projects and practical challenges, pupils develop problem-solving, critical thinking and teamwork skills.
Assessment and Retrieval
Assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning in science. Teachers continuously assess pupils’ knowledge and skills through questioning, retrieval activities, quizzes, practical investigations and observation.
Retrieval practice forms part of every lesson, enabling children to revisit prior learning and strengthen long-term memory. Assessment-for-learning checkpoints are carefully planned throughout each unit and may include designing investigations, selecting appropriate ways to record data, choosing suitable graphs or evaluating the reliability of results. Teachers also identify and address common misconceptions through carefully planned questioning, demonstrations and discussion.
Recording Learning
Children record their learning in Science Stem books, with practical activities and investigations further evidenced through photographs and digital learning platforms where appropriate. This enables a balance between practical exploration and recording scientific thinking.
The science curriculum at Castle Primary School provides children with a high-quality, engaging and enjoyable education that develops both scientific knowledge and a lifelong love of learning.
By the time children leave Castle Primary School, they will:
Through high-quality teaching, practical experiences and meaningful encounters with scientists and experts, children leave Castle Primary School as curious, knowledgeable and confident learners who appreciate the importance of science in understanding and shaping the world around them.
