Intent

At Stanley St Andrew's, our science curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity, develop scientific thinking and foster a lifelong fascination with the world around us. Through the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics, pupils develop substantive scientific knowledge alongside a secure understanding of how scientific knowledge is developed through enquiry and investigation.

Our curriculum is underpinned by the school's golden thread of , Know more, do More remember more. We want pupils to think deeply about scientific concepts and questions, remember and build upon important knowledge and vocabulary, and do more by applying their learning through practical enquiry, investigation and problem-solving.

The National Curriculum is delivered through the White Rose Science scheme, which provides a carefully sequenced, knowledge-rich approach to learning. The curriculum structure reflects the differing progression models within the National Curriculum, with separate year-group teaching in Key Stage 1 and a carefully sequenced two-year cycle in Key Stage 2. This ensures that all pupils build knowledge securely and progressively throughout their time at Stanley St Andrew's while receiving full National Curriculum coverage.

Knowledge, concepts and vocabulary are deliberately sequenced so that pupils build on prior learning and are prepared for subsequent study. Through regular retrieval, purposeful revisiting of previous learning and opportunities for application, pupils develop secure knowledge that can be retained in their long-term memory and used confidently in increasingly complex situations.

We encourage pupils to ask questions, make predictions, think critically about evidence and communicate their ideas scientifically. Through practical enquiry, observation and investigation, pupils develop an understanding of the natural world and the role science plays in everyday life.

Our local environment, school grounds and ECO garden provide valuable opportunities for first-hand observation and enquiry. These experiences are used purposefully to strengthen the planned curriculum and deepen pupils' understanding of the world around them. Forest School and outdoor learning opportunities across the school provide valuable first-hand scientific experiences which enrich learning and promote curiosity about the natural world. In EYFS, Forest School forms a significant element of science learning and supports children's developing understanding of the natural world through meaningful, hands-on experiences.