Vision Statement and Curriculum Intent

At Stock Church of England Primary School, our vision statement, “Let their light Shine,” is at the heart of our science curriculum. We believe that science is a gateway to understanding the marvels of God's creation, and we are committed to helping our students discover their own light within the world of science. Our curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity, foster critical thinking, and encourage a lifelong passion for discovery.

We aim to develop a lifelong passion for science by providing engaging and hands-on experiences that connect students with the marvels of nature, technology, and the universe. In doing so, we nurture an affinity for the scientific world, encouraging our pupils to think critically, ask questions, and strive for answers. Our curriculum is built on the principles of exploration, experimentation, and discovery, fostering an environment where children feel empowered to investigate and learn from their surroundings.

Through a broad and balanced science curriculum, our children are exposed to a variety of scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, and earth sciences. We emphasise the importance of scientific enquiry and the application of knowledge to solve real-world problems, promoting a sense of responsibility and stewardship for the environment.

We aspire to inspire pupils to become inquisitive scientists, nurturing their curiosity, creativity, and confidence. By celebrating each child's scientific journey, we ensure that all pupils feel valued and motivated to express their scientific ideas and findings. In this way, our students are encouraged to achieve their potential, shining brightly as they explore the wonders of science.

Implementation

Each class engages with science weekly, participating in lessons that are dynamic and interactive. Our curriculum follows an enquiry-based model, encouraging pupils to ask questions, conduct experiments, and draw conclusions. This approach allows students to build on their prior knowledge, develop critical thinking skills, and achieve mastery over time.

• Revisiting Key Concepts: Pupils encounter core scientific ideas multiple times, with each revisit adding more complexity and depth.

• Progressive Depth: Concepts are not just repeated; they are expanded upon, helping pupils make connections and develop a richer understanding.

• Knowledge Retention: Regular exposure to key ideas strengthens memory and prevents knowledge from being forgotten.

• Skill Development: Pupils refine and apply their skills in diverse contexts, improving their ability to solve problems and think critically.

• Adaptive Learning: By building on prior knowledge, the curriculum meets pupils at their current level and supports all learners, including those who need extra reinforcement and those ready for greater challenges.

Lesson Structure

Our science lessons typically follow this model:

1. Recap & Recall: Each lesson begins with a short activity revisiting prior learning, reinforcing key knowledge, activating long-term memory, and creating connections between past and new learning. These activities are varied to keep the start of the lesson engaging and fun.

2. Attention Grabber: A short, engaging activity designed to hook pupils into the new learning. This could be a thought-provoking question, a quick investigation, or an interactive discussion to spark curiosity and enthusiasm.

3. Main Event: The core part of the lesson, where pupils engage in activities that develop their understanding of the learning objective. This includes teacher modelling, guided practice, and independent or collaborative tasks tailored to support all learners.

4. Wrapping Up: A final reflective activity that consolidates learning. This could involve reviewing success criteria, discussing key learning, or applying knowledge in a different context to assess understanding and encourage deeper thinking.

Impact

The impact of our science curriculum is that pupils develop a robust understanding of scientific concepts and processes, enabling them to think critically and solve problems with confidence. Through rich scientific experiences, children build an affinity with the natural world by exploring, investigating, and appreciating a wide range of scientific phenomena.

As they progress, pupils achieve by developing secure scientific knowledge, skills, and understanding, enabling them to investigate with confidence, express their scientific ideas creatively, and take pride in their scientific journey. In alignment with our vision to “Let their light Shine,” we ensure that each student's achievements in science illuminate their path to future success.

Research Underpinning Our Curriculum Design

Our science curriculum aligns with the statutory requirements outlined in the National Curriculum (2014) and is informed by best practices and research in science education. We draw upon resources from the Ofsted research review series: science and other relevant educational frameworks to deliver high-quality science education in our school.