Science
At The Laurels Primary School, our intent is to deliver a high-quality science education that fosters curiosity, develops a sense of awe and wonder about the world, and equips our pupils with the scientific knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to understand and engage with the world around them. We aim to nurture confident, critical thinkers who are well-prepared for secondary science and the wider world.
Our science curriculum, based on the Developing Experts scheme, is designed to:
Build a secure foundation of substantive and disciplinary knowledge across biology, chemistry, and physics.
Embed “working scientifically” skills through regular, hands-on practical work and investigations.
Enable children to think, speak, and write scientifically through a strong focus on vocabulary, explanation, and retrieval.
Ensure pupils can make meaningful links between prior and new learning, fostering long-term retention and deep understanding.
Provide inclusive and accessible science education that meets the needs of all learners, including those with SEND and EAL.
Science is taught weekly across all year groups following the Developing Experts programme, ensuring well-sequenced progression in both knowledge and skills from EYFS through to Year 6.
Key elements of our implementation include:
Knowledge-rich lessons: Each unit begins with retrieval of prior knowledge, building on it with new learning. Knowledge organisers and word banks support concept development and vocabulary acquisition.
Practical and enquiry-based learning: Most lessons involve investigations or experiments, ensuring pupils learn through experience and develop core “working scientifically” skills.
Assessment for learning: Progress is assessed through pre- and post-unit quizzes, lesson-based questioning, and retrieval practice activities at the start of each session.
Vocabulary and oracy focus: Scientific terminology is explicitly taught and used in every lesson, enabling pupils to articulate their understanding clearly and accurately.
Inclusion: Quality First Teaching, guided practice, clear modelling, and targeted questioning support all learners. Knowledge organisers and explicit vocabulary instruction particularly benefit SEND and EAL pupils.
Outdoor and experiential learning: Pupils learn in our forest area where appropriate and take part in educational visits to places like observatories and the Rampion Energy Centre. Science Week brings the whole school together through visitors and whole-school experiments.
The impact of our science curriculum is seen in:
Pupils who can think and work scientifically, applying their knowledge with confidence in practical contexts.
Secure progression of knowledge and skills across year groups, evidenced through assessment outcomes and pupil work.
High engagement and enjoyment of science, shown through pupil voice, participation in science week, and enthusiasm for investigations.
Strong understanding and use of scientific vocabulary, supported by regular retrieval and explicit teaching.
Pupils who are well-prepared for the next stage of education and for a future where science and technology play an increasingly vital role.
We regularly review our science provision to ensure it remains ambitious, relevant, and inclusive, enabling all pupils at The Laurels to develop a life-long appreciation of science and its place in the world.
