Science
Intent
At Abbey Park Primary School, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to belong, achieve, and thrive.
Science plays a central role in developing children’s curiosity, creativity, and understanding of the world around them. Using the White Rose Science curriculum, we provide a clear and progressive framework from Reception to Year 7, ensuring pupils build secure knowledge, scientific skills, and vocabulary across biology, chemistry, and physics.
Our intent is that every child:
- Develops a sense of belonging in science through inclusive, engaging, and hands-on learning experiences.
- Achieves success by deepening their understanding of key concepts and developing scientific enquiry skills.
- Thrives as a confident, independent learner who sees science as relevant to their life and the wider world.
- Learns to work scientifically — asking questions, testing ideas, collecting and analysing data, and communicating findings clearly.
- Understands that science is a way of thinking as well as a body of knowledge, fostering curiosity and respect for evidence.
Implementation
Science is taught weekly across all year groups using the White Rose Science scheme, which supports progression and consistency from the Early Years through Key Stage 3. Lessons are creative, practical, and enquiry-led, designed to encourage every child to participate and succeed.
Teaching and Learning
- Adaptive Teaching: Lessons are inclusive and flexible, ensuring all learners can access and succeed in the science curriculum. Teachers adapt support, pace, and challenge according to need.
- Practical Enquiry: Pupils regularly plan, carry out, and reflect on investigations, developing curiosity and resilience.
- Vocabulary and Communication: Scientific language is modelled, revisited, and embedded. Visuals, symbols, and discussion support understanding for all learners.
- Cross-Curricular Links: Science connects with maths (data handling), English (scientific writing and explanation), computing (data logging and research), and PSHE (health and sustainability).
- Collaboration and Support: Teachers, teaching assistants, and the SENDCo work closely to ensure all pupils make strong progress and feel they belong in scientific learning.
- Safety and Practicality: All investigations follow safety guidance and are risk-assessed. Pupils are taught to use equipment responsibly and safely.
Curriculum Design
The White Rose Science framework ensures:
- Coverage of all statutory content within the National Curriculum.
- Logical sequencing of knowledge and skills so pupils revisit and build on prior learning.
- Opportunities to apply scientific understanding in new and varied contexts.
- Consistent progression in ‘Working Scientifically’ skills across all phases.
Impact
Our science curriculum enables all pupils to:
- Develop a secure body of scientific knowledge and an understanding of key processes and concepts.
- Work scientifically with increasing independence, curiosity, and confidence.
- Communicate findings effectively using accurate scientific vocabulary.
- Apply science to explain real-world phenomena and make reasoned conclusions.
- Show enthusiasm and pride in their scientific learning — demonstrating that they belong, achieve, and thrive as part of the Abbey Park community.
Monitoring and Evaluation
The impact of our science provision is monitored through:
- Regular assessment of knowledge and enquiry skills;
- Pupil voice discussions to capture attitudes and understanding;
- Book looks, lesson observations, and planning reviews;
- Progress tracking to ensure that all pupils make good or better progress from their starting points.
Findings inform future planning and professional development to continually enhance the quality of science teaching and learning.
Inclusivity, Equity and Accessibility
At Abbey Park, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. All pupils have the right to access a broad and ambitious science curriculum that supports them to belong, achieve, and thrive.
- Barriers to learning are identified early and addressed through adaptive practice.
- Lessons are planned with accessibility in mind, using multi-sensory and scaffolded approaches.
- Teachers receive regular CPD on inclusive, evidence-based strategies.
- Diversity in science is celebrated, helping pupils see themselves as scientists and innovators.
We believe that different perspectives and experiences enrich scientific understanding and strengthen our whole school community.
Review
This policy is reviewed annually by the Science Lead in collaboration with the SENDCo and Senior Leadership Team to ensure that:
- It remains aligned with the White Rose Science scheme and the National Curriculum.
- Teaching reflects current best practice in science education.
- Our curriculum continues to enable all children to belong, achieve, and thrive through science.
Curriculum Link: White Rose Science – https://whiteroseeducation.com/subjects/science