Science

Subject Overview

Intent

Science at Sidlesham builds on children’s natural curiosity about the world around them. Through carefully structured units, pupils develop secure substantive knowledge and apply it through disciplinary skills such as questioning, predicting, investigating and concluding. They explore science through a range of enquiry types, including fair testing, pattern seeking, classification, research and observation over time. Scientific vocabulary is central to every lesson, supporting children in articulating ideas and recording their findings. Pupils are encouraged to see the impact of science on daily life and to consider how they might contribute to future scientific developments—as the next generation of scientists, engineers and problem-solvers.

Implementation

Due to our mixed-age classes, science is taught on a three-year rolling programme, ensuring full coverage of the National Curriculum without repetition or omission. Units are taught either discretely or through cross-curricular links with English, geography, art and maths when appropriate. Each unit is carefully planned to build on prior learning, supporting progression in both knowledge and scientific vocabulary. Lessons are active and enquiry-based: children predict, explore, investigate, record and evaluate, using correct scientific terminology. Teachers use knowledge organisers, clear modelling, and regular low-stakes assessments to reinforce understanding. Children learn to represent findings through tables, graphs and diagrams, making clear links with their mathematical learning. Outdoor learning, workshops, educational visits and expert visitors enrich the curriculum and help pupils see real-world applications of science.

Impact

Our science curriculum enables all pupils to make strong progress over time, regardless of their starting points. By the end of Key Stage 2, most children achieve age-related expectations and demonstrate a secure understanding of key scientific concepts. They are confident in applying enquiry skills, using scientific vocabulary, and presenting findings with increasing independence and accuracy. The curriculum fosters enthusiasm, critical thinking and resilience. Pupils understand how science impacts everyday life and why it matters for the future of our world. The impact of science learning is monitored through pupil voice, assessment tasks, learning observations, and work recorded in books and on Seesaw. Most importantly, children leave Sidlesham inspired, empowered and ready to continue their scientific learning journey.

Science Knowledge Organisers