Science

Our Science curriculum develops curious, knowledgeable children who can ask questions, investigate ideas and use evidence to explain the world around them.

How do we teach Science at St Stephen’s?

Our Science curriculum is shaped around four connected stages that help children build knowledge, think scientifically and make sense of the world around them.

Discover	Children explore new ideas, phenomena and experiences, connecting new learning with what they already know.
Question	Children ask questions, make predictions and use scientific talk to develop and challenge their thinking.
Investigate	Children gather evidence through observation, comparison, research, measurement and practical enquiry.
Reflect	Children use evidence to draw conclusions, explain their thinking and connect new knowledge to what they have learned before.

Discover → Question → Investigate → Reflect provides a consistent approach to Science as children progress from Year 1 to Year 6.

What do children learn in Science from Year 1 to Year 6?

Explore our primary Science curriculum at St Stephen’s CE Primary School. Select a Science unit below to discover the key knowledge, vocabulary, scientific investigations and learning children experience in each year grou

Colorful Science Curriculum Map showing yearly topics by season (Autumn, Spring, Summer) and six grades in a grid.

Poster titled Our Scientists: A Journey Through Discovery featuring a grid of year-by-year scientist portraits with science icons across Year 1 to Year 6 for an elementary school audience.

Which scientists and scientific pioneers do children learn about?

Children meet scientists and pioneers whose discoveries connect directly to each Science unit, helping them understand the people and ideas that have shaped Science.

How does Science progress from Year 1 to Year 6?

Our Science curriculum carefully develops both what children know and how they investigate scientifically, building greater knowledge, confidence and independence as they move through school.

Knowledge Progression	Scientific Investigation Progression
Children build connected scientific knowledge across plants, animals and humans, living things and habitats, materials, forces, light, sound, electricity, Earth and space, and evolution and inheritance. Each unit builds on previous learning and prepares children for what comes next.	Children become increasingly confident in asking questions, observing, comparing, classifying, predicting, measuring, planning investigations, gathering evidence, identifying patterns, drawing conclusions and evaluating findings.
Explore our Science Knowledge Progression →	Explore our Scientific Investigation Progression →

What resources support our Science curriculum?

Our curriculum resources help children build, remember and apply scientific knowledge throughout each unit.

Knowledge Organisers →	Word Mats →	Unit Guides →
Essential knowledge and concepts for each Science unit.	Key scientific vocabulary to support accurate talk and understanding.	The learning sequence, knowledge, enquiry and teaching guidance for each unit.
Retrieval Roots →	Final Assessments →	Science Progression →
Prior learning revisited to strengthen connections and build new knowledge.	End-of-unit checks showing what children know, understand and can apply.	How scientific knowledge and investigation develop from Year 1 to Year 6.