At Thames View, Science helps pupils understand the world around them through curiosity, investigation and evidence. Pupils learn about living things, materials, forces, light, sound, electricity, Earth and Space, and how scientific knowledge helps us explain the world. Our Science curriculum follows the National Curriculum and is shaped around the needs, context and experiences of pupils at Thames View.

How Science develops Global Citizens

Science helps pupils understand how the natural and physical world works, and how human choices can affect people, places and the planet. Through scientific learning, pupils develop curiosity, critical thinking and respect for evidence. They learn how science can help us make healthier choices, protect living things, use resources responsibly and respond to global challenges such as climate change, pollution and sustainability.

This supports our aim of developing thoughtful Global Citizens who ask questions, seek evidence, think carefully and understand their responsibility towards the world around them.

Our Science Narrative Threads

Our Science curriculum is organised around four narrative threads. These help pupils revisit important scientific ideas over time, moving from first-hand exploration in Early Years to deeper scientific understanding across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

Thread 1: Biology

Pupils learn about living things, including humans, animals, plants and habitats. They begin by exploring their own bodies, emotions, animals, plants, growing and minibeasts, before developing their understanding of classification, life cycles, digestion, circulation, growth, inheritance and evolution. This helps our pupils understand themselves, other living things and the importance of caring for life on Earth.

Thread 2: Chemistry

Pupils learn about materials, their properties and how they can change. They begin by exploring colour mixing, messy play, cooking and classroom materials, before learning about everyday materials, rocks, states of matter and reversible and irreversible changes. This helps our pupils understand how materials are used, changed and chosen for different purposes.

Thread 3: Physics

Pupils learn about forces, movement, light, sound, electricity, Earth and Space. They begin by exploring floating, sinking, ramps, cars, marble runs, weather and seasons, before developing their understanding of magnets, light, sound, circuits, forces, electricity and space. This helps our pupils explain how things move, work and interact in the world around them.

Thread 4: Sustainability

Pupils learn how science can help us care for the planet. They begin by making bird feeders, bug hotels, recycling and re-using materials, before exploring habitats, living things, materials, climate, pollution, resources and human impact. This thread helps our pupils understand that scientific knowledge can support responsible choices and positive action for a healthier and more sustainable world.

How we teach Science

In Science, pupils revisit prior learning before being introduced to new scientific knowledge, vocabulary and concepts. They learn through clear teaching, questioning, observation, practical investigation, discussion, modelling and carefully chosen resources.

Pupils are taught to think like scientists by asking questions, observing closely, comparing, classifying, predicting, testing, measuring, recording results and using evidence to explain what they have found. Practical work is used purposefully to help pupils build understanding, not just complete activities.

Vocabulary and subject talk

Vocabulary is taught explicitly in every unit. Pupils learn and revisit important vocabulary such as observe, compare, classify, predict, test, evidence, material, property, habitat, organism, life cycle, force, light, sound, electricity, circuit, sustainability and environment. This helps pupils explain their thinking clearly, talk about scientific ideas accurately and make links to prior learning.

Teachers model high-quality scientific talk and provide sentence stems where needed so that all pupils can take part in discussion, explain their observations and use evidence to support their ideas.

Inclusion and Removing Barriers

Pupils may have different levels of background knowledge, vocabulary, practical experience or confidence when explaining scientific ideas. Some pupils may find abstract concepts, technical vocabulary, recording results or making links between observations and explanations more challenging.

We use practical exploration, visual models, real objects, diagrams, demonstrations, repeated vocabulary, partner talk, sentence stems and carefully structured investigations to make scientific learning meaningful. Teachers also use clear explanations, retrieval, adapted recording methods and practical resources so that all pupils, including pupils with SEND, can access the same ambitious Science curriculum.

Progression in Science

Our Science progression map shows how pupils build knowledge, vocabulary, scientific enquiry skills and understanding of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Sustainability from Nursery to Year 6. This will be added to the page once finalised.

Useful Websites

BBC Bitesize Science
STEM Learning
Explorify
Primary Science Teaching Trust
DK Find Out Science
National Geographic Kids
Science Museum