At St John’s, science encourages pupils to explore, question and wonder about God’s world. Rooted in our Christian vision that we are all different and all equal, learning together in God’s world, our science curriculum gives every child the opportunity to develop curiosity, confidence and a love of discovery. Through practical enquiry, rich vocabulary, collaboration and real-world learning, pupils build the knowledge and skills they need to understand the world around them and make thoughtful choices for the future.  

INTENT at St John's:

At St John’s, our science curriculum is rooted in our Christian vision that we are all different and all equal, learning together in God’s world. We believe that every child is unique, valued and capable of thinking scientifically.

Through science, pupils are encouraged to develop curiosity, enjoyment and a sense of wonder about the world around them, recognising it as God’s creation and make discoveries for themselves.

Science at St John’s enables pupils to communicate their scientific thinking clearly and confidently, using accurate scientific vocabulary to explain ideas, evidence and conclusions. Through practical enquiry, discussion and collaborative learning, pupils develop positive attitudes such as perseverance, resilience, respect for different ideas and the confidence to work together as scientists.

We want pupils to understand how science influences and affects everyday life, the environment and the future of our world. By making links between science, sustainability, technology and real-world issues, we prepare children for life in an increasingly scientific and technological world.

We aim for all children to leave St John’s with a love of science, a secure understanding of key scientific concepts, confidence in working scientifically and a strong sense of awe, care and responsibility for God’s world.

IMPLEMENTATION at St John’s

At St John’s, science is taught in line with the National Curriculum for primary science and is carefully organised to ensure clear progression in both scientific knowledge and working scientifically skills. Our topics are mapped across the year and sequenced so that pupils build on prior learning, revisit key concepts and develop a secure understanding over time.

The curriculum is supported by our Science Knowledge and Working Scientifically Progression documents and PLAN materials (Primary Science Education Consultancy). These help teachers plan learning in small, connected steps so that knowledge, vocabulary and enquiry skills are developed progressively from EYFS through to Year 6.

Teachers use these documents to shape unit plans, ensuring that lessons are practical, engaging and purposeful. Key vocabulary, important knowledge and scientific concepts are made explicit through teaching, retrieval activities, discussion, knowledge organisers and displays. This supports pupils to know more, remember more and make links between different areas of science and the wider world.

Learning is regularly revisited through questioning, recap tasks and assessment opportunities so that teachers can check understanding, address misconceptions and adapt learning where needed. Practical enquiry is woven throughout the curriculum, enabling pupils to observe, compare, classify, investigate, measure, record and explain their findings with increasing independence and confidence.

IMPACT at St John's:

Our Science Curriculum will enable our pupils to make meaningful connections between science, other curriculum subjects, everyday life and the wider world. Pupils will ask thoughtful questions, explore scientific ideas and investigate with curiosity, confidence and increasing independence.

They will use a range of scientific enquiry methods, equipment and practical skills safely, accurately and collaboratively. Pupils will communicate scientific ideas clearly through discussion, written explanations, diagrams, data, evidence and conclusions. They will develop a secure understanding of key scientific vocabulary and use it accurately across different areas of science.

Our pupils will develop their science capital to become responsible global citizens, showing care and responsibility for God's world. 

Sustainability

In 2025, schools were asked to have a Sustainability and Climate Change Action Plan in place. At St John’s, sustainability and climate change are already important parts of our curriculum and wider school life, reflecting our vision of learning together in God’s world.

Through science, geography and wider enrichment, pupils learn about habitats, biodiversity, materials, recycling, energy, food waste, climate change and how human choices can affect the environment. Children are encouraged to understand that positive change can happen in many different ways and that everyone has a part to play in caring for our world.

This year, we aim to further develop our sustainability work by engaging pupils, parents, carers and the wider community in practical actions that promote climate awareness, environmental responsibility and positive change at St John’s and beyond.