With specific regards to Science, the United Learning curriculum provides all children, with relevant and coherent substantive and disciplinary knowledge. The science curriculum ensures that pupils master core content though the gradual exploration of vertical concepts – the ‘big ideas’ in science.  These vertical concepts span the disciplines of chemistry, biology and physics and are met alongside relevant ideas that relate to disciplinary knowledge and working scientifically as children progress through the school. The curriculum selects and explores applications of science which inspire children’s curiosity about the world and natural phenomena, and seeks to raise awareness of present-day role models in science alongside the contributions of scientists from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds.

Intent - Why do we teach what we teach?

Pupils are taught substantive and disciplinary knowledge in science.

Substantive knowledge is taught through a carefully sequenced curriculum, which allows for the development of vertical concepts – the big ideas in science – in small steps. The curriculum enables children to make connections between the three disciplines of science (Biology, Physics and Chemistry), the wider curriculum and the wider world.

The Ideas of Science

1. All material in the Universe is made of very small particles.
2. Objects can affect each other at a distance.
3. Changing the movement of an object requires a net force acting on it.
4. The total amount of energy in the Universe is always the same but energy can be transferred when things change or are made to happen.
5. The composition of Earth and its atmosphere and the processes occurring within them shape the Earth’s surface and its climate.
6. The solar system is a very small part of one of millions of galaxies in the Universe.
7. Organisms are organised on a cellular basis.
8. Organisms require a supply of energy and materials for which they are often dependent on or in competition with other organisms.
9. Genetic information is passed down from one generation of organisms to another.
10. The diversity of organisms, living and extinct, is the result of evolution.
11. Organisms are healthy when physically, mentally and socially well and free from disease. [This is additional to the original ten ideas and included as we felt it important].

Disciplinary Knowledge, the working scientifically elements, are explicitly taught and practised alongside substantive knowledge and regularly reviewed and built upon across the years and key stages.  Practical tasks are planned to have a clear purpose and demonstrate or prove substantive concepts or to apply working scientifically skills in a relevant context.

The science curriculum provides a grounding in core disciplinary and procedural knowledge, and the ability to approach challenging, scientific concepts, giving pupils the ability for pupils to learn how to think, read and write like a scientist.

The science curriculum promotes a curiosity and excitement about science and selects examples and applications of science that will inspire children’s curiosity about the world and natural phenomena.

The Science curriculum offers opportunities for all pupils to see themselves reflected in the curriculum, but also to be taken beyond their own experiences. The science curriculum teaches pupils about present day role models in science alongside the contributions of scientists from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds.

Implementation - What do we teach and when?

The United Learning Curriculum is planned and sequenced so that meaningful links are made between subjects, and the order of units allows these connections to be made. 

When teaching Science, we ensure robust coverage and deep understanding. Within the unit, we use live marking, questioning, capturing pupil voice and recall tools (for example, Graphic Organisers) to formatively assess our pupil’s skills, knowledge, and progress. At the end of a unit, we use quizzes to summative assess, identify gaps and recognise patterns across classes, year groups and key stages.  Across the year, we ensure retention through recall activities and low stake quizzes.