Science

Science at St Martin’s is a rich and purposeful exploration of the world around us, built on the CUSP curriculum.

Our carefully sequenced lessons help children develop a secure understanding of key scientific concepts while nurturing their natural curiosity. Through hands-on investigations, precise vocabulary, and regular opportunities to revisit and deepen learning, pupils build strong scientific knowledge and enquiry skills.

Whether exploring materials, life processes, or forces, children are encouraged to ask questions, think critically, and make connections.

At St Martin's, Science is more than a subject—it’s a gateway to curiosity, exploration, and discovering how things work.

Intent

At St Martin’s our science curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity, deepen understanding, and equip pupils with the knowledge and skills to explore the world around them. We follow the CUSP Science framework, which provides a carefully sequenced, knowledge-rich approach that builds scientific understanding over time.

Knowledge-rich and coherent: Pupils develop a secure grasp of key scientific concepts through a well-structured progression of substantive and disciplinary knowledge.
Vocabulary-driven: Scientific language is explicitly taught and revisited, enabling pupils to articulate their thinking with clarity and precision.
Inclusive and diverse: Our curriculum celebrates scientists from a range of backgrounds, helping pupils see themselves reflected in science and challenging stereotypes.
Enquiry-led learning: Pupils are encouraged to ask questions, investigate ideas, and develop resilience through hands-on scientific enquiry.
Cultural capital and connection: Learning is connected to real-world contexts, building pupils’ cultural capital and preparing them for life in modern Britain.

Implementation

At St Martin’s, Science is implemented through the CUSP curriculum, which provides a rigorous, knowledge-rich and evidence-informed framework. Our approach ensures that all pupils develop a deep and lasting understanding of scientific concepts and processes.

We implement Science through:

Structured Sequencing: Each unit is carefully sequenced to build upon prior learning, enabling pupils to make meaningful connections and strengthen their cognitive frameworks. This supports the development of coherent mental models and long-term retention.
Substantive and Disciplinary Knowledge: Lessons are designed to deliver both substantive knowledge (scientific facts, concepts, and vocabulary) and disciplinary knowledge (how science works, including enquiry skills and methods). Pupils learn to think and work like scientists.
Retrieval Practice and Spaced Learning: Key concepts and vocabulary are revisited regularly through retrieval tasks, spaced practice, and generative activities. This helps embed knowledge into long-term memory and supports metacognitive development.
Explicit Vocabulary Instruction: Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary is taught explicitly, supported by dual-coded knowledge organisers and visual aids. This ensures pupils can articulate their understanding clearly and confidently.
Inquiry-Based Learning: Pupils engage in practical investigations, outdoor learning, and scientific enquiries that foster curiosity and develop critical thinking. They are encouraged to ask questions, test hypotheses, and draw conclusions.
Addressing Misconceptions: Common scientific misconceptions are identified and addressed through examples and non-examples. Pupils are supported in refining their understanding and integrating new knowledge accurately.
Inclusive and Adaptive Teaching: Lessons are designed to be inclusive, with scaffolding and support to meet the needs of all learners. High expectations are maintained for every pupil, with adaptations made to ensure equitable access to the curriculum.
Assessment for Learning: Teachers use formative assessment strategies to check understanding, provide feedback, and guide next steps. Pupils demonstrate their learning through discussion, written work, and practical outcomes.

Through this implementation, our pupils become confident, knowledgeable, and inquisitive scientists, ready to explore the world around them and apply their learning to real-life contexts.

Impact

The impact of our science curriculum is reflected in the confidence, curiosity, and competence of our pupils.

Secure understanding: Pupils develop a deep and lasting knowledge of scientific concepts, which they can recall, apply, and build upon.
Confident communication: Children use scientific vocabulary accurately and confidently in both verbal and written explanations.
Curious and resilient learners: Pupils demonstrate enthusiasm for scientific enquiry, asking thoughtful questions and showing perseverance in investigations.
Strong progress: Assessment shows that pupils make consistent progress across all year groups, with knowledge and skills that are revisited and strengthened over time.
Prepared for the future: Our pupils leave primary school with a solid foundation in science, ready to thrive in secondary education and equipped to engage with scientific challenges in the wider world.

Year Group Overviews

Whole School LTP Overview

Year Group Coverage Overview

Big Ideas

Our science curriculum is underpinned by the big ideas of curiosity, evidence-based thinking, and understanding the natural world. Pupils explore key scientific concepts such as change, systems, cause and effect, and classification. These themes help children make sense of their environment and develop a coherent understanding of biology, chemistry, and physics. Scientific enquiry is central, encouraging pupils to ask questions, make predictions, and test ideas. The curriculum fosters a sense of wonder and encourages pupils to think critically, reason logically, and appreciate the role of science in everyday life and the wider world.

Content

Our curriculum covers all areas of the national science curriculum, including biology, chemistry, and physics. Pupils study topics such as plants, animals, materials, forces, light, sound, electricity, and Earth and space. Scientific enquiry skills are embedded throughout, including observing, measuring, classifying, predicting, and investigating. Each unit builds substantive knowledge alongside disciplinary knowledge, helping pupils understand both scientific facts and how science works. The curriculum also includes opportunities to explore real-world applications and environmental issues, supporting pupils to make connections between science and their lives. Practical investigations and hands-on experiences are central to deepening understanding and engagement.

Sequencing

Our science curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure progression in both knowledge and skills. Concepts are introduced in a logical order, with prior learning revisited and built upon across year groups. For example, pupils may begin by identifying materials and later explore their properties and changes. Scientific enquiry skills are developed progressively, with increasing complexity and independence. Sequencing ensures that pupils develop a secure understanding of key ideas before moving on to more abstract or challenging content. This structured approach supports long-term retention and allows pupils to make meaningful connections across topics and disciplines.

Oracy and Vocabulary

Oracy and vocabulary are central to our science curriculum. Pupils are explicitly taught scientific vocabulary and encouraged to use it accurately in discussions, explanations, and written work. Lessons include opportunities for pupils to articulate their thinking, describe processes, and justify conclusions. Teachers model precise language and support pupils in developing confidence to speak scientifically. Talk partners, group discussions, and presentations are used to promote collaborative learning and deepen understanding. Vocabulary is revisited regularly to support retention and fluency. This focus on language helps pupils communicate effectively and supports cross-curricular links with English and other subjects.

Assessment of Pupils

Assessment is embedded throughout our science curriculum, using both formative and summative approaches. Teachers assess pupils’ understanding through questioning, observation, and analysis of written and practical work. Each unit includes clear learning objectives and success criteria, allowing pupils to reflect on their progress. End-of-unit assessments help identify gaps and inform future teaching. Scientific enquiry skills are assessed through practical investigations and pupil reflections. Assessment focuses on both knowledge and skills, ensuring a balanced view of pupil progress. Regular review and retrieval activities support long-term retention and help pupils consolidate their learning over time.

Reasonable adjustment for pupils with SEND

Our science curriculum is inclusive and adaptable to meet the needs of pupils with SEND. Lessons are designed with flexibility, allowing for differentiated tasks, simplified language, and alternative recording methods. Teachers use visual aids, hands-on resources, and scaffolded support to ensure accessibility. Practical investigations are adapted to suit individual needs, and pupils are encouraged to participate in ways that reflect their strengths. Group work and peer support promote collaboration and engagement. Adjustments are made thoughtfully to ensure all pupils can access the curriculum meaningfully and develop a secure understanding of scientific concepts and enquiry skills.

Empathy