Science at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School

At St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School, we aim to inspire curiosity and develop a lifelong love of learning about the world through science. Our curriculum is designed to equip children with the scientific knowledge, skills, and understanding they need to explore, investigate, and explain the natural and physical world.

We follow the CUSP Science curriculum, which is carefully sequenced to ensure that children build on their prior knowledge and develop a deep understanding of key scientific concepts over time. The curriculum fosters curiosity, resilience, and critical thinking, enabling all children to work scientifically and develop essential life skills.

Intent

Our science curriculum aims to:

• Provide a rich, ambitious, and knowledge-rich education that enables all children to achieve their potential.
• Ensure that children acquire a secure understanding of biology, chemistry, and physics.
• Develop scientific enquiry skills such as observing, questioning, predicting, and analyzing.
• Foster an appreciation of the impact of science on the world and its relevance in everyday life.
• Encourage curiosity, wonder, and respect for the environment and natural world.

Implementation

• CUSP Curriculum: Science at St Catherine’s is delivered through the structured and sequential CUSP program, which builds knowledge progressively from EYFS to Year 6.
• Scientific Enquiry: Every topic incorporates opportunities for children to develop their practical and investigative skills through experiments, observations, and data analysis.
• Cross-Curricular Links: Science is linked with other subjects, including mathematics, geography, and history, providing real-world contexts for learning.
• Inclusivity: The curriculum is adapted to meet the needs of all learners, ensuring accessibility for children with SEND and opportunities to challenge higher-attaining pupils.

Impact

• Outcomes: By the time children leave St Catherine’s, they have a strong foundation in scientific knowledge and skills, preparing them for further study in secondary school and beyond.
• Achievement: Our science curriculum ensures high standards of attainment, with children able to articulate their understanding and apply it in a variety of contexts.
• Engagement: Pupils demonstrate enthusiasm for science and an awareness of its role in shaping the future.

EYFS

In Reception, children develop their scientific understanding through exploring the natural world, observing seasonal changes, and investigating similarities and differences in their environment. These experiences align with the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and set the foundation for their science learning in Key Stage 1.

Key Stage 1 and 2

From Years 1 to 6, the curriculum builds progressively, covering topics in biology, chemistry, and physics. Pupils revisit key concepts regularly, deepening their understanding and fostering long-term retention of knowledge.

Resources and Assessment

• We use high-quality resources to support teaching and learning, ensuring lessons are engaging and appropriately challenging.
• Formative and summative assessments are used to track progress, address misconceptions, and support mastery of key concepts.

At St Catherine’s, we are proud of the high standards our pupils achieve in science and their enthusiasm for the subject. For more information about our science curriculum or to discuss how we support individual learners, please contact the school office.