Science

Science at Staverton equips children with the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science that will enable them to understand the physical and natural world around them.

Five test tubes filled with red, orange, yellow, green and blue liquid in a wooden rack.

Our approach

Scientific enquiry

‍Scientific knowledge is embedded and truly grasped through systematic, open-ended enquiry – creatively and rigorously planned, carried out, and recorded, so children experience science as something they do, not just something they're told.

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Scientific literacy & vocabulary

‍Understanding scientific concepts depends on scientific literacy, so scientific vocabulary is taught explicitly and used confidently by every member of staff, giving children the language to explain what they discover.

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Curiosity & hands-on learning

‍When children's curiosity is ignited, scientific concepts are truly understood. Creative, knowledgeable, hands-on teaching gives children the ability to rationally explain scientific concepts, opening their minds to the world around them.

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Real-world context

‍A range of trips and workshops take place across the year groups to help cement knowledge and put science into a real-world context, beyond the classroom.

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Scientists who shaped our world

‍Pupils learn about the contribution scientists have made to understanding and shaping the world we live in – inspiring them to become the next generation of scientific thinkers, and to develop as resilient, creative problem solvers.

Our young scientists

This is what it means to be a scientist at Staverton School.

"We are curious, and enjoy learning about the physical and natural world around us."

"We independently and creatively plan and carry out scientific enquiry to explore scientific theory."

"We analyse results using sound scientific knowledge and evidence to reach a conclusion."

"We use scientific vocabulary to explain the core concepts and principles that underpin our world."

"We choose the most appropriate ways to record our findings."

"We use fair testing to make sure our experiments give accurate results."

"We use a range of primary and secondary sources."

"We select the right tools to gather data when working scientifically."

Science curriculum map

Our science curriculum is organised across a two-year (A/B) rolling cycle for mixed-age classes, ensuring every unit is covered without repetition as children move through the school.

Age

Year A

Year B

Years 1 & 2

Plants
Materials

Animals, Including Humans
Seasonal Changes and Living Things

Years 3 & 4

Forces and Magnets
States of Matter, Rocks
Plants and Living Things

Animals, Including Humans
Light and Sound
Electricity

Years 5 & 6

Living Things, Life Cycles and Evolution
Light and Electricity
The Heart and Circulation

Properties of Materials
Earth and Space
Forces

Years 1 & 2

Year A

Plants
Materials

Year B

Animals, Including Humans
Seasonal Changes and Living Things

Years 3 & 4

Year A‍

Forces and Magnets
States of Matter, Rocks
Plants and Living Things

Year B‍

Animals, Including Humans
Light and Sound
Electricity

Years 5 & 6

Year A‍

Living Things, Life Cycles and Evolution
Light and Electricity
The Heart and Circulation

Year B‍

Properties of Materials
Earth and Space
Forces

Our Science knowledge progression

Science at Staverton builds in two connected ways as children move through the school: the scientific knowledge they gain, and the scientific skills they develop as young scientists – how they ask questions, investigate, and draw conclusions.

Science knowledge progression

‍Our full Science Knowledge Progression document sets out exactly what children learn to know as scientists in every topic, at every stage – from identifying common plants in Year 1, to explaining the mechanics of circuits in Year 6. It covers all twelve areas of the science curriculum: Plants, Living Things and their Habitats, Animals Including Humans, Evolution and Inheritance, Seasonal Changes, Materials, Rocks, Light, Forces, Sound, Electricity, and Earth and Space.

Download Progression

Working scientifically progression

Alongside subject knowledge, children build the skills of working scientifically – asking good questions, making accurate observations and measurements, setting up fair tests, recording and presenting evidence, and drawing sound conclusions. Our Working Scientifically Progression document sets out how these skills develop from Key Stage 1 through to Upper Key Stage 2, as children move from answering questions posed by their teacher to independently planning their own scientific enquiries and justifying their choices.

Download Progression