Science

Intent Statement

By the time our pupils leave Year 6, they will be curious and knowledgeable scientists with a secure understanding of biology (plants, animals, humans, living things and evolution), chemistry (materials and their properties) and physics (forces, light, sound, electricity and Earth and space). They will understand key scientific concepts and how they apply to the world around them.

Pupils will work scientifically by asking questions, planning enquiries, observing, measuring, recording data, identifying patterns and drawing conclusions. They will use scientific vocabulary accurately and explain their ideas clearly. By the end of Year 6, our pupils will see themselves as scientists—equipped to question, investigate and understand the world through science.

Policy

The policy for this subject can be found on our main policy section of the website.

National Curriculum

National Curriculum_2014_Final

Useful Websites

Please find below some useful websites relating to this curriculum area.

Subject Progression Document

How can I help my child in this subject?

Science helps children develop curiosity about the world, ask questions, test ideas and understand how things work. Children learn through observing, exploring, investigating and talking about what they notice. Families can play an important role in encouraging this curiosity at home.

Helping children in the Infants (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2)

At this stage, science is about exploring the world through noticing, talking and asking questions.

You can help your child by:

  • Encouraging them to ask questions about the world around them, such as:

    • Why is the sky changing colour?

    • How do plants grow?

    • Why do some things float and others sink?

  • Talking about seasonal changes when you are outside together.

  • Looking closely at plants, animals and insects in gardens, parks or on walks.

  • Cooking together and discussing how ingredients change when heated or mixed.

  • Exploring materials at home (for example: hard/soft, shiny/dull, waterproof/not waterproof).

  • Helping them notice how their body changes as they grow and how to stay healthy.

  • Encouraging them to observe carefully and describe what they see using simple scientific words.

Simple activities like planting seeds, watching ice melt, or sorting objects by their properties help children build strong early science understanding.

Helping children in the Lower Juniors (Year 3 and Year 4)

At this stage, children begin to group ideas, spot patterns and explain what they observe.

You can help your child by:

  • Encouraging them to ask their own scientific questions and think about how they could find answers.

  • Talking about plants and how they grow, including what they need to survive.

  • Discussing animals (including humans) and how bodies work.

  • Looking at rocks, soils and fossils when outdoors or visiting museums.

  • Exploring light and shadows together at different times of the day.

  • Talking about forces when using bikes, playground equipment or magnets.

  • Encouraging your child to predict what might happen before trying something out.

  • Supporting them to explain what they noticed using phrases like:

    • “I observed…”

    • “I think this happened because…”

Children benefit from chances to test ideas and talk about what they discover.

Helping children in the Upper Juniors (Year 5 and Year 6)

At this stage, children begin to plan investigations, explain ideas more clearly and understand how science affects everyday life.

You can help your child by:

  • Encouraging them to explain their thinking and reasoning when discussing scientific ideas.

  • Talking about changes in materials, such as dissolving, mixing or separating substances.

  • Exploring how forces act at a distance, for example magnets and gravity.

  • Discussing space, the Earth and the solar system.

  • Talking about electricity and how it is used safely in the home.

  • Encouraging your child to think about how science helps people, such as in medicine, engineering or protecting the environment.

  • Supporting them to record findings clearly, using diagrams, tables or simple explanations.

  • Asking questions such as:

    • What did you notice?

    • Was your prediction correct?

    • What would you change next time?

These conversations help children develop confidence in thinking scientifically and explaining their ideas clearly.

Supporting your child to think like a scientist

You can support science learning at any age by:

  • encouraging curiosity and questions

  • exploring outdoors together

  • visiting museums, parks or science centres

  • watching and discussing nature

  • cooking and observing changes

  • talking about how science is used in everyday life

The most important thing you can do is show interest in your child’s questions and discoveries. Curiosity is the starting point of great science learning.