"Science at primary school should nurture this curiosity and allow them to ask questions and develop the skills they need to answer those questions. Primary science helps pupils to investigate problems. ... discover why science matters in the world."

Primary Science

Curriculum Intent

At Minster-in-Sheppey Primary School, our vision is for every child to be the best they can be – the best learner, best friend, and best citizen. Our Science curriculum reflects these values by fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration. We aim to develop pupils into inquisitive, responsible individuals equipped with the knowledge and skills to thrive in a modern world.

Our curriculum is practical and engaging, encouraging pupils to explore, question, and investigate the world around them. Scientific learning is carefully sequenced so that children build on prior knowledge, developing both substantive knowledge (facts and concepts) and disciplinary knowledge (how science works). Each unit provides real-world context and relevance, helping pupils understand how science impacts everyday life and future careers.

Reflection and self-evaluation—key aspects of our Minster Muscles—are embedded throughout, ensuring pupils continually review and improve their understanding and scientific thinking.

We have mapped our curriculum to provide depth, breadth, and balance across all year groups. Topics include Seasonal Changes, Animals including Humans, Materials and Changing States, Plants, Living Things and Their Habitats, Forces, Electricity, Sound, Light, Earth and Space, Evolution and Inheritance, and Classification. These are taught progressively through thematic units such as Home & Away, Time Tunnel, One World, Through the Ages, Environment Explorers, and Going Global. This thematic approach ensures science is meaningful, connected, and engaging for all learners.

Our curriculum aims to inspire pupils by providing opportunities to work scientifically in every unit. Children learn to:
- Ask questions and develop hypotheses
- Plan and carry out investigations
- Use scientific equipment accurately
- Record and interpret data
- Draw conclusions using appropriate scientific vocabulary

By integrating these elements, our science curriculum ensures a comprehensive, engaging, and purposeful educational journey for all students, fostering their development as informed, curious, and responsible scientists.

Curriculum Implementation

At Minster-in-Sheppey Primary School, we ensure that Science is a fundamental component of our curriculum by planning it in a creative and engaging manner. We allocate adequate time for the teaching of key scientific knowledge and skills, following the guidance laid out in the National Curriculum and . Our planning is progressive, innovative, and builds upon prior learning to develop the breadth of pupils’ experiences. In the Foundation Stage, we relate scientific development to the objectives laid out in the EYFS framework.

Through the study of Science, children develop an understanding of the world around them by exploring concepts in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This includes topics such as Plants, Animals including Humans, Living Things and Their Habitats, Materials and Changing States, Forces, Electricity, Sound, Light, Earth and Space, and Evolution and Inheritance. These topics are taught through our six curriculum themes: Home and Away, Time Tunnel, One World, Through the Ages, Environment Explorers, and Going Global. This thematic approach ensures science learning is meaningful and connected to wider curriculum experiences.

We use a variety of teaching and learning styles in Science lessons. The principal aim is to develop children’s knowledge, skills and understanding through:
- Whole-class teaching and individual/group activities
- Opportunities for pupils to work independently and collaboratively
- Hands-on investigations and practical experiments
- Use of scientific vocabulary and reasoning in every lesson

Children are encouraged to ask questions, make predictions, and critically evaluate evidence. They learn to plan and carry out investigations, use scientific equipment accurately, record and interpret data, and draw conclusions based on evidence.

Science in EYFS: Pupils explore scientific ideas through play and structured activities, investigating materials, seasonal changes, and living things. They build skills through adult-directed tasks and child-initiated exploration, supported by rich resources and purposeful questioning. Activities include planting seeds, observing seasonal changes, exploring materials, and using all senses to investigate the world around them.

Science in KS1 and KS2: Science learning is carefully sequenced to ensure progression. Each unit of learning includes opportunities to:
- Explore concepts and ask questions
- Investigate through practical work
- Observe and measure accurately
- Record findings using charts, tables, and diagrams
- Evaluate results and reflect on learning

Our approach to working scientifically is embedded in every topic. Pupils develop skills in observation, classification, pattern-seeking, fair testing, and research using secondary sources. These skills are revisited and deepened as pupils progress through the school.

Assessment is used to check understanding, identify gaps, and guide next steps. Retrieval practice is built into lessons to secure long-term knowledge retention. Where necessary, tasks are scaffolded to ensure all learners can access and succeed in science.

Lessons incorporate various teaching strategies from independent tasks to paired and group work, including practical, creative, computer-based and collaborative tasks. This variety means that lessons are engaging and appeal to those with different learning styles.

By implementing science in this way, we ensure pupils develop secure knowledge, strong investigative skills, and a lifelong curiosity about the world around them.

Curriculum Impact

At the end of each year, our pupils will have experienced many opportunities to apply scientific knowledge and skills across the curriculum.

Our pupils are exposed to a wide range of lessons that include:
- Biology: Plants, Animals including Humans, Living Things and Their Habitats, Evolution and Inheritance
- Chemistry: Everyday Materials, Properties and Changes of Materials, States of Matter, Rocks
- Physics: Seasonal Changes, Forces and Magnets, Sound, Light, Electricity, Earth and Space

We aim for all our pupils to become the Best Learner, Best Friend and Best Citizen, equipping and preparing them for each next step they take, including secondary school and becoming well-rounded citizens. To support this, we give our pupils the opportunity to be curious, investigative and reflective in a safe and supportive setting. Pupils are encouraged to use their Minster Muscles across the curriculum, and those of Risk-taking, Empathy, Teamwork and Self-reflection/evaluation are encouraged and used in all Science lessons. The impact of this allows pupils to feel confident to try different methods, equipment and approaches to meet the learning objectives.

Progress is demonstrated through regular monitoring and evaluation of pupils’ learning. Teachers continuously monitor pupils’ work over time and give feedback to build their knowledge and skills. Retrieval practice is built into each teaching and learning sequence to assess both learning over time and performance, supporting lesson adaptation and ensuring gaps are addressed promptly.

The subject leader conducts learning walks and book looks to evaluate the curriculum in action. Progress is measured through formative assessment during lessons and summative assessment at key points. Class teachers keep assessment records, noting pupils who are working above or below expected standards by exception. This information feeds into future planning and is shared with the next teacher and subject leader to ensure sustained progression year on year.

Science and Engineering are vitally important industries in the modern world. Even if children do not become scientists or engineers they will grow up in a world that requires scientific literacy and critical thinking skills. Science is all around us and helps children to make sense of the world.

At Minster Primary School, we recognise the importance of Science and strive to maintain a high profile for the subject within our school. Our desire to empower and motivate children to develop a lifelong love of science is reflected in our curriculum, extra- curricular activities and nurturing learning environments.