The National Curriculum for Science aims to ensure all pupils:

• Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific areas of biology, chemistry and physics. 
• Develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them.
• Are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

Areas covered are:

Working scientifically

Plants

Animals, including humans

Everyday materials

Seasonal changes

Living things and their habitats

Rocks

Light

Forces and magnets

States of matter

Sound

Electricity

Earth and space

Evolution and inheritance

Curriculum Intent

At Thomas Eaton Primary Academy it is our intention to teach a science curriculum which results in the acquisition of key knowledge, whilst enabling children to become enquiry-based learners. We value the importance of science in every aspect of daily life, encouraging children to recognise the significance and impact science has on their lives. We intend to explicitly teach children the essential scientific skills of enquiry, so they are able to use these skills to understand how science can be used today and in the future. We strive to ensure our lessons are engaging whilst aiming to develop children’s curiosity and excitement about the natural world. Our science lessons aim to promote joy and excitement for learning, with the hope that children apply these attitudes in other curriculum areas and ultimately in life.  

Our curriculum is logically organised, using a 2-year rolling programme of topics, with a clear sequence of progressive skills to ensure children develop a coherent knowledge of scientific concepts and processes. Staff ensure children are exposed to high-quality teaching and learning experiences, which include children exploring their outdoor environment and locality, thus developing their scientific enquiry and investigative skills. Through direct immersion of age-appropriate scientific methods of enquiry, we intend to support and develop children’s confidence in using a variety of scientific approaches independently to answer relevant scientific questions. 

In  EYFS, science is taught mainly through ‘Understanding the World’ where children learn through practical activities and exploratory play.