At Ettington C of E Primary School and Pre-School, our science curriculum fosters a sense of curiosity and wonder about the world around us, encouraging children to explore and develop a deep respect for both living and non-living things. We believe that science encompasses not only the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, but also the development of scientific skills, concepts and positive attitudes towards learning.

Our curriculum is ambitious and inclusive, ensuring that every child, regardless of their starting point, background, ability or individual need, has the opportunity to develop as a scientist. We remove barriers to learning through appropriate support, adaptations and carefully considered teaching approaches, while ensuring that all children are challenged to achieve their full potential. We value different perspectives and encourage all pupils to ask questions, share ideas, work collaboratively and develop confidence in their scientific thinking.

Throughout the programmes of study, children acquire and build upon key scientific knowledge, carefully sequenced within each unit and across each year group. The curriculum is designed to ensure clear progression in knowledge, vocabulary, scientific enquiry and practical skills. Children revisit and build upon prior learning, making meaningful connections between concepts and developing increasing independence and confidence as they move through school.

Children develop their scientific understanding through meaningful practical experiences. They are given regular opportunities to use a range of scientific equipment, plan and conduct experiments, make observations, record and interpret findings, identify patterns, draw conclusions, evaluate evidence, build evidence-based arguments and explain scientific concepts with increasing confidence and precision.

Through this approach, we aim to develop scientifically curious, resilient and confident children who are equipped to question, investigate and make sense of the world around them. By the end of their primary education, all pupils will have developed a secure and progressively deeper body of scientific knowledge, alongside the skills and positive attitudes needed to engage meaningfully with science in their everyday lives and beyond.