Intent

At Austin Farm Academy, a key objective is to nurture all pupils as budding scientists. We achieve this by identifying and planning for the skills that future scientists will need. Our aim is to inspire curiosity and enthusiasm for science by encouraging pupils to ask questions and explore ideas.

Our curriculum is carefully designed to ensure that every child has the opportunity to build scientific knowledge and deepen their conceptual understanding across the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. We also strive to help pupils understand the nature, processes, and methods of science through a variety of scientific enquiries, enabling them to investigate and answer questions about the world around them.

Through this approach, we aspire to equip our children with the scientific knowledge necessary to understand the applications and implications of science - both today and in the future.

Implementation

At Austin Farm Academy, Science is taught in line with the National Curriculum through an enquiry-based approach that encourages children to explore, ask questions, and think critically. Our whole-school curriculum ensures every child receives a broad, balanced, and progressive education in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, Science is part of the “Understanding the World” area of learning. Children are supported to observe and explore the natural world, including animals, plants, and changes in materials.

From Key Stage 1 onwards, pupils take part in termly Science enquiries, guided by detailed Medium-Term Plans that outline key learning objectives, vocabulary, links to prior learning, teaching strategies, and assessment methods.

We use the Snap Science scheme to structure planning, teaching, and assessment, supported by resources such as PSTT, TAPS, and Explorify. Weekly lessons include:

* Investigating scientific ideas through five types of enquiry

* Engaging activities and thought-provoking questions

* Opportunities to reflect and review learning

Our teaching is practical and interactive, with varied ways for children to record their learning. This helps embed knowledge and ensures pupils build on what they know year after year, preparing them to understand and apply Science in real-life contexts.

Impact

Each unit of work in our Science curriculum is carefully planned with clear objectives that define the expected learning outcomes for pupils. To assess progress, we draw evidence from a variety of sources, including pupil discussions, questioning, observations, practical activities, and written work.

We have developed end-of-unit age-related expectations that outline the scientific knowledge, enquiry skills, ‘working scientifically’ skills, and vocabulary we aim for children to acquire as they move through each year group. This ensures a consistent and progressive approach to Science learning across the school.