Sharp Lane Primary School

Science

Intent

At Sharp Lane, our Science curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity, wonder, and a deep appreciation of the world around us. We recognise the importance of science in everyday life and believe it encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, and skills that empower pupils to explore, question, and understand their environment.

Our intent is to foster high aspirations in Science by providing opportunities for pupils to develop both scientific knowledge and enquiry skills that can be applied to real-world contexts. We aim for children to develop a secure understanding of how Science connects to the wider world and to see themselves as capable scientists who can think critically, ask meaningful questions, and seek answers with confidence and curiosity.

Implementation

At Sharp Lane, Science teaching follows the 2014 National Curriculum framework and is brought to life through engaging, enquiry-led, and hands-on learning experiences. Our approach ensures that learning is purposeful, progressive, and rooted in real-world understanding.

We:

• Begin each lesson with a key question to stimulate curiosity and guide enquiry.

• Build on prior learning, ensuring pupils revisit and deepen their understanding of key scientific ideas over time.

• Develop core enquiry skills such as observing over time, researching using secondary sources, pattern seeking, identifying, classifying and grouping, making comparisons, and fair testing.

• Explore all areas of Science—biology, chemistry, and physics—through meaningful and engaging contexts.

• Promote sustainability by helping pupils understand how their actions impact the environment.

• Use a range of primary and secondary sources, including practical investigations, scientific equipment, and studies of influential scientists and their contributions.

• Encourage pupils to make connections between Science and their everyday lives, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving through investigation and discussion.

• Provide opportunities for collaboration, communication, and presentation to strengthen scientific understanding and confidence.

• Enhance scientific learning through our Forest School provision, offering hands-on experiences in natural environments to develop observation, enquiry, and appreciation for the world around them.

Impact

By the time pupils leave Sharp Lane, they will:

• Have a secure understanding of key scientific concepts and processes, preparing them confidently for the next stage of their education.

• Be able to plan, carry out, and evaluate investigations, analysing and interpreting data to draw their own conclusions.

• Demonstrate curiosity, resilience, and independence when exploring scientific ideas.

• Make informed observations and comparisons, reflecting on their own findings and those of others.

• Appreciate the relevance of science in everyday life and its impact on society, technology, and the environment.

• Leave Sharp Lane with a lasting enthusiasm for science and the confidence to continue exploring the world with inquisitiveness and critical thinking.