Science

Vision for Science at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School

At St Mary’s, our science curriculum inspires curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of discovery. We empower our children to explore the world through practical investigation, scientific reasoning, and meaningful connections to real-life contexts. Rooted in our curriculum drivers — outdoor learning, oracy and a growth mindset — our science education builds confident, resilient learners who engage actively with the natural world, communicate their thinking clearly, and embrace challenge as part of the learning process. Science at St Mary’s is inclusive, ambitious, and equips all learners with the knowledge and skills to shape the future.

Principles of Practice at St. Mary's

•We foster curiosity and wonder through engaging, enquiry-led lessons that promote active exploration and meaningful learning.

•Scientific knowledge and concepts are taught with clarity, revisited regularly to ensure deep understanding and long-term retention.

•Outdoor learning is embedded purposefully, using the natural environment to enrich scientific enquiry and spark real-world connections.

•Oracy is at the heart of every science lesson, with structured talk, debate and discussion used to develop scientific thinking and articulate understanding.

•We nurture a growth mindset, encouraging learners to embrace mistakes, persist through challenges and reflect on their progress.

•Practical science is central, developing investigative skills, curiosity, and confidence through purposeful, hands-on experiences.

•Every student is supported and challenged, with inclusive, adaptive teaching that promotes high expectations and equity.

•Teachers collaborate and reflect, using research-informed strategies and shared practice to continuously improve outcomes.

Outdoor Learning is at the heart of our curriculum!

Science endpoints are an important part of learning at St Mary’s because they help us clearly understand what we are aiming to achieve in each unit of work. They set out the key knowledge and skills pupils should secure by the end of a topic, allowing both teachers and children to track progress and celebrate success. At St Mary’s, we use science endpoints to make learning purposeful and structured, ensuring that pupils build on what they already know and develop a strong foundation in scientific understanding. They also help children take ownership of their learning by showing them exactly what they need to do to succeed and how they can improve.

Science

Vision for Science at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School

Principles of Practice at St. Mary's

Outdoor Learning is at the heart of our curriculum!

Science End Points and Progression

Science Policy

Science Long Term Plan

Science Vocabulary Progression