Science
Curriculum Overview and Policy
Download: Science – Curriculum Overview 2025-2026 [PDF]
Download: Science – Progression of Skills 2025-2026 [PDF]
Download: Science – Vocabulary Progression 2025-2026 [PDF]
View our Science Policy on our Curriculum Policies page
Science – Curriculum Drivers
Language – A child’s understanding of scientific language will have a huge bearing on their ability to make progress. Research shows that one of the strongest factors affecting progress in science is how well pupils can read and understand written scientific texts. As a result, at St Oswald’s, we place a strong emphasis on the direct teaching of key scientific vocabulary as we want to give all our children the best opportunity to achieve in science. (Faith in Our Voice)
Diversity and Inclusion – We strive to ensure that barriers to learning in science are removed so that we can be as inclusive as possible. Science is at its best when it is collaborative and so we plan for lots of opportunities for children to work scientifically in groups. We endeavour to demonstrate to the children the diverse range of scientists who have impacted the world with their discoveries. (Faith in Others)
Resilience – We want our children to develop the ability to take risks and deal with different challenges during their science learning. We know that good science involves taking risks, making mistakes and learning from them. In this way, we want our pupils to embrace their potential to impact the wider world by thinking positively and having the confidence to ‘have a go’ in science. (Faith in Ourselves)
Enrichment – Science is a subject which is brimming with potential for enrichment. We aim to plan activities which allow pupils to develop their cultural capital. Science has the ability to engage and promote awe in children’s lives as they embrace new experiences of the world through external trips and exciting projects. (Faith in Our Journey)
Science – Intent
Our intent in St Oswald’s is for all pupils to have access to an exciting science curriculum that encourages and develops curiosity and discovery through the engagement of scientific enquiry and knowledge.
Science is a core subject and the content, progression and skill development from EYFS to Year 6 is taken from Development Matters and Early Learning Goals (EYFS) and The National Curriculum (2014) using the HEP scheme. Our approach aims to give all children the opportunity to embed knowledge rapidly, enjoyably, efficiently and inclusively gaining the high order skills needed to discover the world around them and their role in it.
The HEP Science curriculum offers the opportunity to make cross curricular links and encompasses key elements of STEM including opportunities to maintain the freedom and flexibility for the children to gain knowledge through their own experience, enquiries and discoveries.
In St Oswald’s, we encourage the children to be hands-on with their science lessons. We want our children to be independent learners and ‘be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.’ (National Curriculum). Our intent is to promote a life-long love of science recognising the impact that humanity has on the world, instilling a recognition of science as an innovative, exciting and relevant career choice.
Science – Implementation
Science is a core subject and as such, in St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School, it is taught weekly through a consistent approach using the Early Years Framework and the National Curriculum. All staff endeavour to create a positive approach to science in which children are encouraged to have high expectations for their engagement in science lessons. Our science implementation will include:
- Science is taught weekly for 60 minutes in KS1 and 90 minutes in KS2. The aim is for children to ‘Know more, remember more.’
- We strive to have a balance between a knowledge based approach and the delivery of science based skills in a practical context – ‘Working Scientifically’. As a result, lessons may take on a variety of different approaches depending on how the children will best achieve the learning objectives. For example, this can range from open ended investigations to research based learning via a range of texts or technology.
- All class teachers will use their assessment of the pupils to plan for appropriate work and skill development. Class teachers will carry out formative assessments throughout the year, monitoring and evaluating pupil’s progress. This may be drawn from work in books, tests or recordings.
- This means that lessons will not just be solely focused on using writing skills but also having broad and balanced approaches which include discussion, enquiry and the use of questioning skills.
- Cross curricular links are crucial for embedding the scientific knowledge and skills that children are developing across all of their learning. As a result, all planning should highlight lessons and objectives in which science learning crosses over with other subjects. In addition to this, we will seek to promote the links between science, maths, D.T. and computing through an annual STEM week. The aim of this will be to provide children with a variety of learning opportunities in which skills and knowledge from all of these subjects inter-relate.
- In our school we endeavour to deliver opportunities for children to recognise the important role science takes in shaping the modern world and our future.
- Following the successful introduction of the HEP science curriculum, it is now being taught across all year groups. The focus of the HEP planning is on the scope, rigour, coherence and sequencing of the science curriculum. The planning maintains a strong emphasis on subject specific vocabulary and literacy skills which are so crucial to progress in all subjects. There are also frequent opportunities for scientific enquiry and the resources provided are engaging and knowledge rich. As a result, we believe that HEP can help our children to make even greater progress in science.
HEP Curriculum – Haringey Learning Partnership
Following the successful introduction of the HEP science curriculum, we have taken up the option of implementing this scheme in KS1 during this year (2024-25). Having trialled HEP initially in Year 3 and 4, it is now being taught across all year groups in KS2. The focus of the HEP planning is on the scope, rigour, coherence and sequencing of the science curriculum. The planning maintains a strong emphasis on subject specific vocabulary and literacy skills which are so crucial to progress in all subjects. There are also frequent opportunities for scientific enquiry and the resources provided are engaging and knowledge rich. As a result, we believe that HEP can help our children to make even greater progress in science.
Additional Resources
Please find below a range of website suggestions that can be used to support learning in science for primary aged children.
Discovery Education/Espresso – Huge amount of free video clips, interactive games and learning tools:
External Link: http://www.discoveryeducation.co.uk/free-resources
BBC Bitesize Clips – Recently updated with interactive learning games, videos and quizzes:
External Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/z2pfb9q
External Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/highlights/curations/z9njqty
Channel4leaning ‘Science Essentials’ – Lots of fun interactive games for KS2:
External Link: http://www.channel4learning.com/apps26/learning/microsites/E/essentials/science/index.shtml
Science Museum in London (Online Science section) – Host of games, news and discoveries:
External Link: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/online_science
How stuff works – Promotes scientific enquiry with videos, articles etc. about the world around us:
External Link: http://science.howstuffworks.com/
Discovery kids – Science based games, puzzles and activities:
External Link: http://discoverykids.com/
Today in Science History – Information about important scientific discoveries through history:
External Link: https://todayinsci.com/home.htm
WWF – Environmental resources to educate children about taking care of the planet and its life:
External Link: https://www.wwf.org.uk/get-involved/schools/resources
Amazing Space – Learn about astronomy, space, telescopes, stars, discoveries. Includes “Tonight’s Sky” constellations, deep sky objects and planets:
External Link: http://amazingspace.org/
24/7 Science – A variety of science experiments and activities, as well as games and citizen science opportunities:
External Link: http://static.lawrencehallofscience.org/kidsite/