At Woodsetts, we want every child to feel like a scientist. We aim to ignite curiosity, develop deep scientific understanding, and nurture pupils who can think critically, ask thoughtful questions, and explain the world around them. Through carefully sequenced and engaging lessons, we ensure children build secure scientific knowledge and the skills to investigate, explore, and make sense of the natural world.
Our science curriculum is organised around nine key concepts that are woven throughout the curriculum from EYFS to Year 6. These help ensure knowledge is revisited, built upon, and deepened over time.
We teach science through a carefully planned, progressive curriculum that covers biology, chemistry, and physics, and ensures children build both substantive and disciplinary knowledge over time. Each unit is designed to build on prior knowledge and prepare children for future learning, including transition to KS3.
From EYFS onwards, children learn how to work like scientists — asking questions, observing, testing, recording, and concluding. These skills are taught progressively and revisited regularly through hands-on practical activities.
We assess science through a mix of retrieval activities (Terrific Three and Super Six), vocabulary tracking sheets, observation during investigations, and end-of-unit tasks. Teachers use this information to identify next steps and ensure all children, including those with SEND, are supported to progress.
Reading plays a key role in our science curriculum. Children regularly read information texts, scientific explanations, and stories linked to science topics. Scientific vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited throughout each unit. A useful website which we use to find science texts can be found here:
https://www.booksfortopics.com/booklists/topics/science-maths-computing/
In EYFS, science forms part of Understanding the World. Children develop early observation and enquiry skills through play, exploration, and talk. This lays the foundation for later scientific learning.
We are fully committed to ensuring all pupils, including those with SEND, can access and succeed in science. We use a range of strategies including pre-teaching vocabulary, scaffolded practical tasks, adapted recording, and high-quality adult support to ensure full inclusion.
We bring science to life through trips, science days, virtual workshops, and our annual Scientists and Inventors unit. Pupils learn about diverse scientists and real-world scientific breakthroughs to spark aspiration and show how science shapes our world.
Our pupils say science is one of their favourite subjects! They enjoy practical investigations, using scientific language, and making discoveries together. We regularly collect pupil voice to evaluate impact and celebrate success.
We know parents and carers often have great questions about how science is taught at Woodsetts — from what children learn, to how we make it hands-on, inclusive, and exciting. We’ve created a Science FAQs document to help answer the most common queries. We have also created a more detailed document which breaks down our science curriculum into different questions and answers.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z6svr82
A great place for games, videos and explanations to support Key Stage 1 science topics.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z2pfb9q
Covers all Key Stage 2 science topics with interactive videos and practice activities.
https://explorify.uk/
A fantastic free website for thought-provoking science prompts and investigations at home.
https://www.stem.org.uk/home-learning
STEM Learning offers a wide range of science, technology, engineering, and maths activities for children and families.
https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/science/
Ideas for simple science activities, experiments, and science reading suggestions for parents and children to enjoy together.
