Science

‘The most important thing is to never stop questioning’

Albert Einstein

Science At Bitterne Church of England Primary

At Bitterne CE Primary School, we want every child to see themselves as a scientist.

Children are naturally curious about the world around them. Our Science curriculum builds on this curiosity, encouraging pupils to ask questions, explore ideas, investigate and use evidence to explain what they discover.

We use White Rose Science to provide a carefully sequenced curriculum in which learning is broken down into manageable steps. Knowledge, scientific skills and vocabulary build progressively and are deliberately revisited, helping children to make connections and remember more. White Rose Science has been awarded ASE Evaluated status by the Association for Science Education, providing independent assurance of its scientific accuracy, curriculum alignment and teaching approach.

Our teachers bring this curriculum to life. They use White Rose guidance to plan engaging lessons that meet the needs of the children in their class. Teachers carefully select and adapt practical activities, questions, models and opportunities for scientific talk, responding to pupils' prior knowledge, misconceptions and interests.

Through this combination of a high-quality, carefully sequenced curriculum and responsive teaching, we aim to inspire a lifelong curiosity about science and equip our children with the knowledge and skills to understand, question and explore the world around them.

What does Science look like at Bitterne?

Working Scientifically

Working scientifically is woven throughout our Science curriculum. As children progress through the school, they become increasingly confident and independent in asking scientific questions, planning enquiries, making careful observations, taking measurements, recording findings and using evidence to draw conclusions.

We want children to understand that Science isn't simply about knowing the right answer. It is about being curious, asking good questions and using evidence to understand the world around us.

Curriculum Pathway

Our Science Pathway shows how children's scientific knowledge, vocabulary and working scientifically skills develop as they move through the school.

Please click the documents at the bottom of this page for a downloadable copy.

Science in EYFS

Science begins in the Early Years, where children are naturally curious about the world around them. Through Understanding the World, children explore, observe, ask questions and talk about what they notice, building the foundations for scientific learning in Key Stage 1 and beyond.

First-hand experiences and exploration allow children to have opportunities to:

observe seasonal changes, weather and the natural world;
explore plants, animals, growth, habitats and life cycles;
investigate materials, light, sound, forces and movement;
notice similarities, differences, patterns and changes;
make simple predictions and explore their own ideas;
develop scientific vocabulary to describe and explain what they observe;
learn to care for living things and the environment.

Adults encourage curiosity through questions such as “What do you notice?”, “What do you think will happen?” and “How could we find out?”

These experiences develop the observation, questioning, comparison and communication skills that underpin Working Scientifically and prepare children for increasingly systematic scientific enquiry in Key Stages 1 and 2.

Sustainability in Science

At Bitterne, sustainability is woven throughout our Science curriculum. From their earliest experiences in EYFS, children learn to explore, understand and care for the world around them.

As they progress through school, children explore themes including caring for the planet, biodiversity, food waste, deforestation, energy, global warming, plastic pollution and renewable energy. These are taught through meaningful scientific contexts, practical investigations and discussion.

We want children to understand how science can help us make informed choices, solve problems and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Bitterne Church of England Primary School

Science

Science At Bitterne Church of England Primary

What does Science look like at Bitterne?

Working Scientifically

Curriculum Pathway

Science in EYFS

Sustainability in Science

Documents

Year Group Knowledge Organisers

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term