Science

Intent

At Thorp Primary School, our intent for Science is to nurture children’s natural curiosity and inspire them to explore, question and understand the world around them. We want children to become confident, articulate learners who can explain their thinking using accurate scientific vocabulary and who recognise the relevance of science in everyday life.

Our curriculum ensures that all children:

Develop secure scientific knowledge across Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Build conceptual understanding progressively from Early Years to Year 6.
Develop positive scientific attitudes such as curiosity, resilience and determination.
Acquire the skills needed to investigate independently, solve problems and evaluate evidence.
Understand the role science plays in society — past, present and future.

We follow the National Curriculum and use Kapow to support high‑quality teaching, vocabulary progression and enquiry‑rich learning. Children also receive knowledge organisers at the start of each unit to clarify key vocabulary, essential facts and end‑points.

A core part of our intent is ensuring children become confident in working scientifically. We use TAPs assessments at least once each half term to assess these skills through meaningful, practical enquiry.

Implementation

Science is taught across five out of six half terms, with Summer Term acting as the ‘driver’ term where Science receives additional focus and extended opportunities for investigation.

Early Years

In Early Years, Science is embedded within Knowledge and Understanding of the World. Children learn through:

Adult‑led investigations
Enhancements linked to scientific concepts
Weekly challenges
Open‑ended exploration at the Investigation Station

Children observe closely, ask questions, explore materials and talk about what they notice. Learning is captured through Development Matters statements and recorded in individual learning journals.

Key Stage One

In KS1, children begin to:

Observe, explore and ask questions.
Work collaboratively to collect evidence.
Link findings to simple scientific ideas.
Consider fairness in tests and comparisons.
Communicate findings using drawings, charts, tables and scientific vocabulary.

Kapow provides structured progression in vocabulary, enquiry types and practical skills.

Key Stage Two

In KS2, children:

Study a wider range of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Make links between ideas and use simple models to explain concepts.
Apply their knowledge to more systematic investigations.
Work independently and collaboratively to plan, carry out and evaluate enquiries.
Use precise scientific vocabulary and measurement techniques.

Working Scientifically

Across all year groups, children experience a broad range of enquiry types:

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

Teachers plan purposeful opportunities for children to practise these skills within each unit.

Assessment

Assessment is ongoing and purposeful. Teachers use informal judgements during lessons to identify misconceptions and next steps. Feedback follows the school’s marking and feedback policy.

At least one TAPs assessment is completed each half term to assess working scientifically objectives. These assessments provide clear evidence of children’s enquiry skills and ensure coverage of all enquiry types.

End‑of‑unit assessments are completed using the school’s assessment tools, and children’s progress is tracked throughout their time at Thorp.

Cross‑curricular links

Mathematics Science provides meaningful opportunities to apply mathematical skills such as measuring, recording data, interpreting graphs and comparing results.

English Science supports speaking and listening, reading for information, following instructions and a wide range of non‑fiction writing including reports, explanations and instructions.

Impact

Our Science curriculum ensures that children leave Thorp Primary School with:

Secure scientific knowledge and vocabulary.
Confidence in explaining their reasoning clearly and accurately.
A strong understanding of how science shapes the world.
Well‑developed enquiry skills that prepare them for future learning.
Positive attitudes towards investigation, problem‑solving and resilience.
The ability to work collaboratively, think critically and evaluate evidence.

TAPs assessments demonstrate that children can apply working scientifically skills independently and across a range of enquiry types. Knowledge organisers support retrieval and long‑term retention, ensuring children build secure foundations year on year.

Ultimately, children at Thorp develop curiosity, determination and integrity - qualities that underpin successful scientific thinking and lifelong learning.

Useful Links For Parents

Science is such a great subject because it really gives you a chance to get creative and have some fun with children.

You’ve probably already got resources and reading materials that cover the curriculum, so we’ve decided to collect some more out-of-the-box activities and websites that will aid children to study science in a slightly different way.

Warning: some of these activities (particularly the experiments) may need parental supervision.

1. National Geographic Kids

This child-friendly website is great to teach and inspire children and is filled with fun and unique activities – like How to Make a Paper Bowl Jellyfish!

2. NASA Kids’ Club

A place to play games and learn about space. These games support national education standards in STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

3. Why and How? Primary Science Teaching Trust

This website offers a variety of different resources covering many topics, including things like “Titanic Science,” “Growing Music” and “Garden Watch.”

4. 5 Science Experiments You Can Do At Home

Make science fun with these fantastic experiments!

5. STEM Learning

This Planet Science collection for parents contains a selection of appealing science-based activities for students and their parents which are designed to entertain and make science an enjoyable activity for all.

6. WOW Science

A child friendly gateway to high quality primary science resources on the internet and beyond. Resources for children to explore either alone or together with their parents.

7. First Discovers

A website that provides parents with science based activities that are ‘hand on’ and fun!

8. Association for Science Education

The Association for Science Education (ASE) is the largest subject association in the UK. We are an active membership body that has been supporting all those involved in science education from pre-school to higher education for over 100 years.

9. 63 Easy Science Experiments for Kids to Do at Home – Mommy Poppins

You can actually do some pretty mind-blowing, hands-on science experiments at home using stuff you probably have lying around the house.

10. Science Bob – Experiments

A variety of science experiments you can do at home!

11. Sublime Science – 101 Sublime Science Experiments

101 awesomely fun science experiments you can do at home with ‘stuff’ you’ve already got from Dragons’ Den winner and Sublime Science founder, Mad Marc (Wileman!)