Science Curriculum – Severnbanks Primary School

Intent

The Science curriculum at Severnbanks Primary School is ambitious, inclusive and designed to meet the needs of all learners, while reflecting the community we serve. Our curriculum fosters a deep sense of curiosity and excitement about the natural world and encourages children to see themselves as scientists.

Science is central to understanding the world around us. Through our curriculum, pupils develop their knowledge, skills and confidence so that they can question, investigate and make sense of the world using evidence. We encourage children to demonstrate our school values and embody the 3 Is by showing independence in their thinking, initiative in their investigations, and inquiry through questioning and exploration.

At Severnbanks, we provide meaningful, engaging and challenging scientific experiences that allow children to make connections in their learning and develop fluency in scientific concepts and enquiry skills. Pupils are encouraged to apply their knowledge to solve problems, identify patterns, make predictions and follow lines of enquiry.

Our curriculum promotes:

• Curiosity about the natural world
• Respect for living things and the environment
• Confidence in scientific knowledge and skills
• Resilience when investigating and problem-solving
• Awe and wonder at scientific discovery

We aim for all children to aspire to be scientists and to recognise the importance of science in their everyday lives and future opportunities.

Implementation

At Severnbanks Primary School, we deliver our Science curriculum through the Kapow Primary Science scheme, which provides a carefully sequenced, progressive framework aligned with the National Curriculum.

Kapow Science is structured into units and modules across each year group, ensuring full coverage of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, while developing pupils’ knowledge and skills progressively from Early Years through to Key Stage 2.

While Kapow Science provides a clear and progressive framework, teachers use their professional judgement to adapt and tailor lessons to best meet the needs of the children they teach. This may include adjusting the pace of learning, providing additional support or challenge, and making meaningful links to pupils’ interests and experiences to ensure learning remains engaging, inclusive and relevant.

Curriculum Structure and Progression

Kapow Science supports children to develop both substantive knowledge (scientific concepts) and disciplinary knowledge (working scientifically skills). The scheme is built upon clear progression, enabling pupils to revisit and deepen their understanding over time.

Each unit includes:

• Clear knowledge and skills progression
• Defined learning outcomes
• Key scientific vocabulary taught and revisited
• Opportunities to address misconceptions
• Engaging, practical and enquiry-based lessons

This ensures children develop secure understanding of key scientific concepts and are able to apply their knowledge confidently.

Working Scientifically and the 3 Is

Through Kapow Science, pupils develop essential scientific enquiry skills. They are encouraged to demonstrate the 3 Is by taking ownership of their learning and thinking like scientists.

Children are taught to:

• Ask scientific questions
• Make predictions
• Plan and carry out investigations
• Observe changes over time
• Identify, classify and group
• Seek patterns in results
• Conduct fair and comparative tests
• Gather, record and analyse data
• Draw conclusions using evidence

These experiences promote independence, initiative and inquiry, while building resilience and confidence.

Teaching and Learning

Science is taught weekly in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. In Early Years, scientific understanding is developed through play-based exploration within Understanding the World.

Lessons are designed to be:

• Practical and engaging
• Inclusive and accessible to all learners
• Challenging and appropriately scaffolded
• Rich in scientific vocabulary and discussion

Kapow provides clear guidance, diagrams, animations and questioning to support teachers in delivering accurate and engaging lessons.

Children are encouraged to work collaboratively, communicate their ideas clearly, and reflect on their learning.

Where appropriate, Science is taught through meaningful cross-curricular links to make learning purposeful and relevant. Pupils apply their scientific knowledge through writing explanations, presenting findings, analysing data in mathematics, and making connections with subjects such as geography, design technology and computing. These links help pupils understand the real-world relevance of science and strengthen their ability to apply their knowledge across the curriculum.

Inclusion and Quality First Teaching

At Severnbanks, we believe that all children are scientists. Our Science curriculum is fully inclusive and designed to ensure all pupils can access and succeed.

Teachers support learners through:

• Adapted tasks and scaffolding
• Pre-teaching of key vocabulary
• Visual supports and practical resources
• Targeted adult support where appropriate
• Opportunities for challenge and deeper thinking

This ensures every child can develop confidence and success in Science.

Cross-Curricular Links

Science provides valuable opportunities to develop literacy and numeracy skills.

Children apply their English skills by:

• Writing explanations, reports and conclusions
• Using precise scientific vocabulary
• Speaking clearly to explain their thinking

They apply mathematical skills by:

• Measuring accurately
• Recording results
• Presenting data in tables and graphs
• Analysing patterns and relationships

These links help children see the real-world relevance of their learning.

Assessment

Assessment is ongoing and embedded throughout teaching.

Kapow Science supports assessment through:

• Retrieval practice and questioning
• Observation of practical work
• End-of-unit quizzes
• Knowledge catchers and summaries
• Opportunities for discussion and explanation

This allows teachers to identify gaps and ensure pupils develop secure understanding and progression.

Impact

Through our Science curriculum, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to succeed in Key Stage 3 and beyond.

Children at Severnbanks will:

• Develop secure knowledge across Biology, Chemistry and Physics
• Understand and use scientific vocabulary confidently
• Think independently and ask thoughtful scientific questions
• Carry out investigations and interpret results
• Analyse data and identify patterns
• Use evidence to form conclusions
• Demonstrate resilience and curiosity
• Understand the relevance of Science in the real world

Most importantly, pupils leave Severnbanks with a lasting curiosity about the world and the confidence to explore it.