Science

Loughborough Primary School’s science curriculum is designed to teach learners scientific knowledge and skills through structured and sequenced lessons. Science at Loughborough Primary follows the National Curriculum and provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Our science curriculum gives our children opportunities to explore essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science through engaging lessons coupled with exciting opportunities, both theoretical and practical. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, our pupils are be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They are encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

We recognise the importance of raising children as responsible, curious thinkers who can process new information, reflect on it, think critically, and apply knowledge and skills to overcome challenges in our ever-changing world. Our science curriculum ensures that our children are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

At Loughborough Primary School, we teach science in a planned, coherent way which is sequenced logically, ensuring that our children develop a secure understanding of each key block of knowledge and concepts in order to progress to the next stage.

During their science lessons, our children are specifically taught scientific language, allowing them to build up an extended specialist vocabulary. Similarly, our children are encouraged to apply their mathematical knowledge to their understanding of science, including collecting, presenting and analysing data. 

In our Phiz lab, pupils learn to use a variety of approaches to answer relevant scientific questions. They are taught the importance of observing over time; pattern seeking; identifying, classifying and grouping; comparative and fair testing (controlled investigations); and researching using secondary sources.

In Key Stage 1, our children experience and observe phenomena, looking more closely at the natural and humanly constructed world around them. They develop their understanding of scientific ideas by using different types of scientific enquiry to answer their own questions. Our children work scientifically to provide solutions for a torn umbrella and advise the three little pigs in their building material choices.

In Key Stage 2, we build on the foundations set in Key Stage 1 and pupils develop a deeper understanding of a range of scientific ideas. Our children begin to plan more sophisticated types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, for example: why do boats float and what packaging material is best for takeaway orders? In Key Stage 2, children apply their scientific knowledge to create dimmer switches and periscopes. Across both key stages, children have a range of opportunities to experience science

By the end of their education at Loughborough, our learners will have gained a rich body of scientific knowledge and a wide range of transferable skills, which they can apply to other subjects and contexts.

We assess regularly in order to build a rounded picture of each child as a scientist, using practical opportunities, quizzes, discussions and presentations. This enables teachers to set appropriate, progressive targets and challenge children in their thinking and learning.

All children will use geographical vocabulary and gain a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. Children will begin to make relevant links from science to other curriculum subjects, such as maths and English. We measure our impact based on pupils’ confidence to ask and explore questions to further their own scientific knowledge and understanding.

Our children will be inquisitive young learners and citizens who explore ideas and raise different kinds of questions; able to discuss, communicate and justify their scientific ideas and talk about how scientific ideas have developed over time. We aspire for our children to leave Loughborough equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future. In this way, we prepare our learners fully for transition to secondary school and transition into becoming global citizens.