Intent Statement

At Broughton CE Primary School, our aim is to deliver an inspiring, high-quality science curriculum which enables our pupils to achieve excellent outcomes and develop a lifelong love of science. We strive to nurture the natural curiosity of our children and encourage them to ask questions about and explore the world around them. We value the importance of science in an ever-changing world and want our children to be equipped with the knowledge they require to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

Our progressive and inclusive curriculum ensures full coverage of the national curriculum objectives and is individualised to meet the needs of and challenge our pupils so that all learners make good progress regardless of their starting points. Our curriculum is organised so that as pupils move through school, they increasingly acquire more knowledge of the key concepts of science and the relationships between them. At our school, the science curriculum starts in EYFS where children are exposed to a variety of objects, phenomena and wide-ranging vocabulary in preparation for the topics that they will cover in years 1 – 6. Where possible, science units are linked to the curriculum topics and where not, they are taught as stand-alone units. Any cross-curricular links are made explicit so that the children understand the many uses and applications of science.

Science lessons across the school are planned by the science lead so that they are coherent, progressive and of a high standard. Within lessons, children are taught about both the products and practices of science. Their knowledge, skills and vocabulary are built upon in each lesson and unit of work. Retrieval practice is regularly planned for, to ensure good retention of the key knowledge and vocabulary. Key scientific terminology is explicitly taught and children are encouraged to use this vocabulary to explain their thoughts, both orally and in written work. Opportunities for children to work scientifically and develop their knowledge of scientific enquiry are built into every unit of work in the contexts that are most relevant. We want all children to know what it means to be a scientist and have opportunities to work as scientists through purposeful and exciting practical activities. Where possible, these have real life outcomes and children are encouraged to present their findings in a range of ways.

We have fantastic school grounds which offer a rich resource to inspire our children when delivering our curriculum. Our outside areas are used effectively to teach children about the environment and the things that live there. Through these opportunities, we aim to encourage children to respect and understand their responsibility towards both the immediate and wider environment.

To supplement our curriculum, we plan a range a visits, visitors and activities such as science week and science clubs to allow our pupils to see science in action in real life, to deepen their knowledge and understanding and to enthuse them.

We believe that our high-quality curriculum and the stimulating experiences that we provide will help all children progress in their scientific knowledge and enquiry skills, and will ensure that they are confident and inquisitive learners who are eager to continue developing their understanding of the world around them.