Science

Intent

At Leopold Primary School, children begin developing scientific understanding from the moment they enter Early Years.
They learn to use science to make sense of the world around them, to ask questions, and to explore how and why things happen. Through practical experiences and meaningful learning opportunities, children develop curiosity, critical thinking and a secure foundation of scientific knowledge.

Our intent is that children:

Build a strong understanding of key scientific concepts from EYFS through to KS2.
Ask thoughtful questions and follow lines of enquiry with increasing independence.
Learn to observe closely, investigate systematically and draw simple conclusions.
Use accurate scientific vocabulary to explain their ideas.
Make predictions based on what they know and use evidence to support their thinking.
Develop excitement about science and recognise its relevance to everyday life.

We aim to nurture children’s curiosity and inspire them to consider future possibilities in science, technology and the wider world.

Implementation

At Leopold, our science curriculum follows a clear progression from EYFS to Year 6. In EYFS, scientific learning is developed primarily through Understanding the World, with children encouraged to explore, observe, question and talk about the natural world through purposeful play and first-hand experiences.

From Year 1 to Year 6, we follow the Kapow Primary Science scheme. Kapow provides a carefully sequenced, progressive curriculum that develops both pupils’ scientific knowledge and their understanding of how to work scientifically. Units are structured so that new learning builds upon prior knowledge and pupils revisit important concepts as they progress through the school.

Science lessons include opportunities for children to:

Explore scientific ideas through practical, hands-on activities.
Work scientifically by asking questions, predicting, observing, measuring and recording.
Take part in discussions that help them make sense of new concepts.
Use scientific equipment safely and accurately.
Present and communicate findings using drawings, tables, charts, data and oral explanations.
Apply disciplinary knowledge alongside developing their substantive scientific knowledge.

Kapow lessons provide regular opportunities to revisit prior learning, identify misconceptions and make connections between scientific concepts. Key vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited so pupils increasingly communicate their scientific understanding with precision.

Our curriculum includes a balance of the main types of scientific enquiry:

Observing over time
Comparative and fair testing
Identifying, classifying and grouping
Pattern seeking
Research using secondary sources

Working scientifically is embedded throughout the Kapow curriculum rather than taught as a separate strand, enabling pupils to develop their enquiry skills progressively within meaningful scientific contexts.

To enrich learning, children take part in workshops, practical investigations and educational visits such as museums, nature areas and local community spaces. These real-world experiences help bring scientific concepts to life.

Supporting All Learners

At Leopold, science is accessible to all pupils, regardless of starting point or additional needs. We ensure that every child can participate fully and make good progress by:

Providing scaffolds such as vocabulary mats, sentence stems and visual prompts.
Using practical resources to support children who benefit from concrete experiences.
Adapting tasks and equipment for pupils with SEND to ensure full inclusion.
Offering guided adult support where needed to model and reinforce scientific skills.
Using questioning carefully to challenge all learners, including those working at greater depth.
Revisiting key knowledge to strengthen understanding and address misconceptions.
Providing opportunities for pupils who grasp concepts quickly to investigate further, extend enquiries and explain ideas in greater depth.
Adapting Kapow resources and lesson activities where appropriate while maintaining ambitious scientific learning for all pupils.

Our aim is for all learners to develop confidence as scientists and to experience success in science lessons.

Impact

The progressive structure of our curriculum ensures that children develop secure, long-lasting (“sticky”) scientific knowledge that builds year on year. The clear progression within Kapow supports pupils to build increasingly sophisticated scientific knowledge and working scientifically skills as they move from Year 1 to Year 6.

As they move through the school, pupils gain confidence in working scientifically and applying their skills independently.

By the end of Key Stage 2, children at Leopold:

Have a secure understanding of key scientific concepts across biology, chemistry and physics.
Can plan and carry out enquiries with increasing independence.
Use scientific vocabulary confidently to describe and explain their thinking.
Understand how to gather, present and interpret data.
Make connections between prior and current scientific learning.
Make connections between science lessons and real-life contexts.
Show curiosity, resilience and a positive attitude towards scientific learning.

Teachers assess pupils throughout each unit through questioning, discussion, practical work and outcomes, enabling them to identify gaps and misconceptions and adapt subsequent teaching.

Our enrichment opportunities further enhance this impact by providing memorable, hands-on experiences that deepen understanding and inspire a genuine interest in science beyond the classroom.

Supporting Science at Home

Parents and carers play an important role in helping children develop curiosity and confidence in science.
There are many simple and enjoyable ways to support scientific learning at home:

Talk about everyday science – discuss weather, cooking, melting, growing plants, shadows, magnets, or materials around the home.
Encourage children to ask questions – “What do you notice?”, “Why do you think that happened?”, “What might happen if…?”
Explore nature together – visit parks, gardens or outdoor spaces to look for plants, animals, habitats and seasonal changes.
Carry out simple investigations – try floating and sinking, mixing materials, growing seeds, or exploring light and dark.
Read books about science – both fiction and non-fiction texts can spark curiosity and build vocabulary.
Visit museums or science centres – these experiences help children see how science links to real life.
Use everyday opportunities for enquiry – measuring in cooking, observing temperature changes, sorting materials for recycling, or comparing toy cars rolling down slopes.
Encourage children to record ideas – through drawings, notes, photos or simple charts.

These small but meaningful activities help children develop curiosity, build scientific thinking and extend learning beyond the classroom.