Intent - What does our curriculum intend to do?

At Westfield, our science curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity and a lifelong interest in understanding the world. From Reception to Year 6, pupils build progressively on their knowledge and skills through the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Through engaging lessons, practical investigations and carefully sequenced learning, children develop scientific knowledge, enquiry skills and subject-specific vocabulary. High-quality teaching and enriching experiences help to strengthen pupils’ science capital, encouraging them to see the relevance of science in everyday life and inspiring future aspirations within STEM-related fields.

 

Implementation - How is the Science curriculum implemented?

At Westfield, science is taught throughout the school with a strong focus on developing curiosity, enquiry and a love of discovery. In Reception, scientific learning is delivered through the Understanding the World area of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, where children explore and investigate through play, questioning and adult-guided activities. This carefully structured approach enables children to build knowledge and understanding progressively, establishing the key foundations and skills needed for a successful transition into Year 1 and beyond.

 

From Year 1 to Year 6 at Westfield, science is taught weekly through a carefully planned and progressive curriculum that enables pupils to build upon their knowledge, skills and scientific vocabulary year after year. Learning is sequenced to ensure that new concepts are connected to prior understanding, helping pupils make meaningful links across different areas of science. By returning to topics such as Animals Including Humans, Materials and Light, pupils deepen their understanding and strengthen their ability to think scientifically. This approach helps children develop confidence in enquiry, investigation and problem-solving, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as young scientists.

 

At Westfield, our science curriculum encompasses the three key disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics, providing pupils with a broad and balanced understanding of the world around them. Through engaging and practical learning experiences, children develop essential scientific enquiry skills, including questioning, predicting, observing, testing, recording results and drawing conclusions. Opportunities are provided for pupils to work scientifically and apply their knowledge in meaningful contexts. Where appropriate, science is linked with other curriculum areas, such as mathematics, English and geography, helping pupils make connections across their learning and recognise the relevance of science in everyday life.

 

Impact - What progress will children make?

By the time pupils leave Westfield, they will have:

  • A secure understanding of key scientific concepts through the study of biology, chemistry and physics, enabling them to explain and understand a range of processes, changes and relationships in the natural and physical world.

  • Well-developed scientific enquiry skills, allowing them to ask thoughtful questions, make predictions, plan and carry out investigations, record observations and draw evidence-based conclusions.

  • Confidence in using scientific vocabulary, enabling them to communicate their ideas clearly, accurately and with increasing sophistication.

  • The ability to think critically and solve problems, using observation, analysis and reasoning to evaluate evidence and make informed judgements.

  • An understanding of the importance of science in everyday life, recognising its role in areas such as health, technology, sustainability and the wider world.

  • A sense of curiosity and enthusiasm for scientific discovery, encouraging them to explore, question and develop a lifelong interest in learning about the world around them.

  • The knowledge, skills and confidence needed for the next stage of their education, ensuring they are well prepared for the challenges and opportunities of secondary science.

 

Map showing Westfield Community Primary School