At St Mary’s, Science nurtures curiosity about God’s world and a desire to understand how it works. Children learn to ask questions, explore carefully and use evidence to explain their ideas. Our Catholic ethos encourages wonder, respect for life and care for the environment.

The curriculum builds connected knowledge in biology, chemistry and physics alongside the skills of working scientifically. Earlier ideas are revisited so children can use them in new contexts.

Teaching follows the school’s planned sequence and draws on PLAN resources, practical investigation, discussion, models and appropriate secondary sources. Teachers introduce and revisit vocabulary, check prior understanding and address misconceptions.

In Reception, children explore the natural world through play, observation and adult interaction. Learning develops from naming and comparing familiar features to explaining processes, choosing suitable enquiries and evaluating evidence.

Children observe change over time, identify and classify, look for patterns, carry out comparative and fair tests, and research using secondary sources. Seasonal and living-things observations are revisited outdoors. Recording is adapted so children can communicate their scientific understanding in suitable ways.

We look for increasingly accurate scientific knowledge, careful enquiry and explanations supported by evidence. Discussion, practical tasks, drawings and end-of-unit activities help teachers assess understanding. Children learn to justify conclusions, recognise uncertainty and consider what further evidence would help answer a question.