Science

Teaching Science at St Mark’s

At St Mark’s Primary School, our science curriculum aims to give every child a strong understanding of the world around them. We want pupils to develop curiosity, acquire key scientific knowledge and skills, and learn to think critically about how science shapes our lives today and in the future.

Our approach

• Science is taught in weekly blocks  through well-planned lessons that follow the National Curriculum, focusing on both key knowledge and scientific enquiry skills.
• Enquiry skills are embedded into every topic and revisited regularly, allowing children to build on what they already know, make meaningful links, and deepen their understanding as they move through the school.
• Lessons encourage children to develop their oracy skills through asking questions, exploring ideas, and testing their thinking, which supports them to become independent and confident learners.
• Lessons are structured to ensure children have the chance to make connections between topics and scientific ideas as well to recall prior learning. 

Practical and hands-on learning

• In the early years, pupils explore science through their immediate environment and practical, hands-on experiences that nurture curiosity and language.
• From Years 1–6, lessons are carefully sequenced to ensure progression, with opportunities to revisit and extend prior learning.
• Children develop the ability to:
  • Make observations and predictions.
  • Plan and carry out investigations.
  • Collect, record and interpret data.
  • Use accurate scientific vocabulary to explain their ideas.
  • Draw conclusions and reflect on their findings.
  • Recall scientific facts and process and make connections within their learning.

Working scientifically
Pupils take part in a wide range of enquiry types, including practical investigations, comparative and fair tests. They:

• Make systematic observations and accurate measurements using standard units.
• Record findings using language, drawings, diagrams, charts and graphs.
• Apply their learning to answer “big questions” and to make links between classroom science and the wider world.

Inclusion
Science at St Mark’s is for every child. We ensure lessons are accessible, engaging and challenging for all, including pupils with SEND and those who are new to English. Teachers adapt tasks, use practical resources and provide additional scaffolds where needed so that every child can fully participate and succeed. We also celebrate diversity in science, drawing on examples of scientists from different backgrounds to help children see themselves as future scientists.

At St Mark’s, science is not just about learning facts — it is about nurturing curious, resilient and inclusive learners who are inspired to explore, investigate and understand the world around them.