Science

Intent

At Leechpool, our science curriculum aims to foster a lifelong love of science, equipping children with the curiosity, knowledge and skills to explore the world around them. We believe every child should see themselves as a scientist — confident in asking questions, making predictions and drawing conclusions from evidence.

Our intent is to:

Provide a knowledge-rich, enquiry-driven curriculum grounded in the National Curriculum.
Develop pupils' scientific thinking and investigation skills across all year groups.
Use our local environment and wider community to bring science to life through practical, real-world experiences.
Promote STEM opportunities and highlight the relevance of science in everyday life and future careers.
Ensure science is inclusive and accessible, enabling all learners to succeed and thrive.

Implementation

Science is taught weekly from EYFS to Year 6 through clearly structured medium-term plans that interleave key knowledge with scientific enquiry. Each unit builds progressively on prior learning and covers both substantive and disciplinary knowledge.

Our implementation includes:

Structured progression: Lessons follow a sequenced model built around the Leechpool Knowledge and Skills Progression Map.
Scientific enquiry: Children plan, carry out and evaluate a range of enquiry types, including observing, testing, pattern-seeking and classifying.
Vocabulary-rich teaching: Science-specific vocabulary is taught explicitly and used confidently in lessons and displays.
Inclusive practice: Lessons are adapted using NASEN guidance, with strategies such as practical modelling, structured scaffolds and targeted questioning.
Practical and outdoor learning: Pupils access Forest School, the school pond, allotment, and outdoor spaces to apply science in context.
Enrichment: Science Capital is developed through trips, visitors, science clubs, STEM Fortnight and cross-curricular links with computing, DT and maths.
Assessment and monitoring: Teachers use Insight Tracker and regular low-stakes quizzes to track understanding. Learning is reviewed through book looks, lesson visits and pupil voice.

High-quality resources, including Developing Experts and Whizz Pop Bang, support consistent delivery and teacher confidence across the school.

Impact

By the time children leave Leechpool, they are confident, curious scientists who:

Apply scientific knowledge and enquiry skills independently.
Use precise scientific vocabulary and explain their thinking clearly.
Demonstrate secure understanding of the world and key scientific ideas.
Approach investigations with confidence, drawing conclusions and making predictions based on evidence.
Recognise science as relevant to their lives, their future learning, and the wider world.

Through our engaging and inclusive approach, we aim to ensure that every child leaves Leechpool Primary with strong scientific foundations, ready for secondary science and inspired to think scientifically about the world around them.