Intent
We encourage our children to think scientifically by asking questions and seeking answers. Through our science curriculum, they will develop the skills of scientific inquiry, fostering independence and curiosity in their learning. Our goal is to inspire children to observe the world around them closely and build the skills needed to understand and interpret what they see. We aim to make science hands-on, relevant, and to spark a sense of awe and wonder in every discovery.
Implementation
We offer a science curriculum based on the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (2021) and the National Curriculum, ensuring a well-structured progression of skills. This approach enhances children’s knowledge and understanding year after year, helping them leave primary school as confident learners in Science. We develop both substantive knowledge (scientific facts and concepts) and disciplinary knowledge (practical scientific skills and methods), ensuring students understand the connection between the two.
Children are encouraged to ask questions and are provided with opportunities to use their scientific skills to research and find answers. Our curriculum is designed to spark curiosity through practical, engaging lessons that include regular assessments of both conceptual understanding and scientific skills. New scientific concepts and subject-specific vocabulary are introduced through direct teaching and embedded throughout lessons to deepen children’s knowledge. Outdoor learning plays a key role in helping children grasp scientific concepts, and we are fortunate to have access to enriching outdoor spaces to support this.
Diversity and Inclusion
Throughout the curriculum, we highlight the contributions of scientists from diverse backgrounds, genders, and ethnicities. This helps raise awareness of the wide range of people who contribute to the field of science and introduces students to varied career paths in science, fostering a sense of inclusion and possibility.
Environmental and Sustainability Issues
Our Science curriculum also provides opportunities for children to engage with important environmental and sustainability issues. Year group topics are linked to current environmental challenges, encouraging children to think critically about solutions and reflect on how they can make sustainable choices in their everyday lives.
Impact
Our children leave Rhodes Avenue Primary School with a strong foundation; detailed knowledge and skills across the Science Curriculum and, as a result, achieve well and are ready for their next stage of learning. In addition, children are confident with the five different types of enquiries: observing, identifying and classifying, pattern seeking, research and fair testing to enable them to thrive in their science education. Children are equipped with the skills to challenge gender stereotypes about science jobs and have the confidence to pursue a STEM career. Our children know how they can care for their world and how their actions can make an impact on the future.
Enhancement
At Rhodes Avenue Primary School, we are committed to enhancing and enriching our Science curriculum through a wide range of exciting and engaging opportunities. We invite parents into school to lead workshops and contribute to our science assemblies, fostering a strong sense of community and involvement in our learning. Science Day is a highlight of the year, with hands-on activities, child-led experiments, and opportunities for creative exploration. Our outdoor spaces are regularly used to enrich learning through activities like gardening club and eco club, which promote hands-on discovery and environmental awareness. Additionally, our Gravitrax club, a STEM problem-solving initiative, encourages critical thinking and creativity in a different context.
In addition to these in-school activities, we participate in national science competitions and network school events, providing children with opportunities to apply their learning in real-world contexts. Teachers also organise science-related school trips, allowing children to explore scientific concepts outside the classroom. Career days and workshops from outside agencies, such as engineering sessions for Year 5, help students make connections between science and the wider world of work. We also facilitate cross-curricular learning by integrating science with computing, where children use iPads and apps to create videos and digital media to showcase their science projects.
Our school is home to a range of animals, including chickens and rabbits, which we use to support the study of living things, linking closely with topics in our Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 curriculum, particularly in the ‘Animals, Including Humans’ unit. These hands-on experiences provide children with meaningful connections to their scientific learning and inspire curiosity and respect for the natural world.
