Intent

At Chopwell Primary School, our science curriculum aims to nurture children’s curiosity and sense of wonder about the world around them. We strive to ensure all pupils develop a secure understanding of key scientific concepts, processes, and vocabulary, alongside the essential skills needed to think and work scientifically. Scientific enquiry is at the heart of our approach; children regularly engage in observing, questioning, investigating, planning, predicting, and drawing conclusions. These enquiry skills are embedded within every topic and revisited throughout the school to build confidence, independence, and deep conceptual understanding.

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced so that knowledge is revisited and built upon over time. Topics such as plants or materials are introduced in Key Stage 1 and then explored in greater depth across Key Stage 2. This progression allows children to make meaningful connections, strengthen their long-term understanding, and develop enthusiasm for scientific learning.

Across all year groups, pupils are encouraged to ask questions, think critically, and communicate their ideas clearly using accurate scientific vocabulary. By focusing consistently and progressively on the key features of scientific enquiry, we enable children to use a range of investigative approaches to answer relevant and engaging scientific questions.

We also aim to show pupils the relevance of science beyond the classroom by embedding STEM learning and raising awareness of science-related careers. This helps children see the real-world applications of science and the opportunities it can offer them in the future.

Implementation

We follow the Developing Experts curriculum, which provides a clear, carefully sequenced, and progressive structure for teaching science across all year groups. Each unit is designed to build systematically on prior learning, ensuring pupils revisit, deepen, and apply key scientific concepts over time. Lessons are knowledge-rich and practical, giving pupils a balance of scientific understanding and hands-on experience.

Scientific enquiry is embedded throughout the curriculum. Pupils regularly engage in a range of enquiry types—such as observing changes, classifying, pattern seeking, and conducting comparative and fair tests—so that working scientifically becomes a natural part of their learning. This approach helps pupils develop independence, resilience, and confidence when investigating scientific questions.

A distinctive feature of Developing Experts is its strong link to real-world contexts and STEM careers. Each unit introduces children to a range of STEM professionals, enabling them to see the relevance of science in everyday life and broadening their understanding of the opportunities that science can offer. These authentic connections deepen engagement and support aspirations for the future.

Oracy is a key element of our science teaching. Children are encouraged to “talk like scientists” by using accurate scientific vocabulary, explaining their thinking clearly, and presenting ideas using appropriate scientific language. Through structured talk, discussions, and presentations, pupils develop both their scientific understanding and the essential communication skills valued across all STEM fields.

By combining a well-structured curriculum, strong scientific enquiry, rich vocabulary development, and meaningful STEM career links, our implementation ensures that all children access a high-quality science education that prepares them to understand, question, and explore the world around them.

Impact

By the time pupils leave Chopwell Primary School, they have developed a secure foundation of scientific knowledge and a deep understanding of key concepts that they can recall, apply, and build upon. They are confident young scientists who can use precise scientific vocabulary, ask thoughtful and curious questions, and apply their enquiry skills independently when faced with new problems or investigations.

Regular opportunities for hands-on enquiry and practical exploration ensure pupils not only understand scientific ideas but can also use a variety of enquiry approaches effectively. This helps them develop perseverance, critical thinking, and the ability to reason scientifically—skills that prepare them well for Key Stage 3 and beyond.

Through the Developing Experts curriculum, pupils gain a clear understanding of how science connects to the wider world. Meaningful introductions to STEM professionals broaden pupils’ aspirations and help them recognise the diverse range of careers that science can lead to. As a result, pupils leave our school feeling inspired, empowered, and aware of the relevance of science in everyday life and future opportunities.

Assessment for learning is used consistently to track progress, address misconceptions, and ensure that every child moves forward from their starting point. Over time, pupils develop a lasting interest in science, a curiosity about the world around them, and the confidence to see themselves as capable scientists and problem-solvers.