Thornham St James C.E. Primary School
At Thornham St. James, our vision for science education is to inspire every child to see themselves as a scientist, empowering them to explore, question, and understand the world around them. Our goal is for each child to flourish within the National Curriculum objectives and beyound by developing a strong foundation in scientific enquiry, equipped to investigate and make sense of their environment and beyond. Anchored in our school’s vision, 'Journeying Together, We Shine', we nurture inquisitive minds to approach science with a sense of wonder and determination, embodying values of wisdom, creativity, and thankfulness as they discover the natural world.
We implement a carefully planned and progressive science curriculum, supported by resources from Grammasaurus Primary Science framework, ensuring that all National Curriculum objectives are met. Each unit is designed to integrate substantive knowledge (the ‘what’ of science) with disciplinary knowledge (the ‘how’ of scientific processes), enabling students to build a coherent understanding over time. From observing and classifying to researching and testing, our curriculum invites students to apply scientific skills actively, embracing each new question with curiosity. High-quality vocabulary is woven into every lesson, fostering clear communication and understanding. Our school grounds, including a garden and forest area, serve as a living lab for environmental exploration and scientific investigation, allowing students to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world context.
In our Early Years, children engage with science through play-based exploration, where their natural curiosity is nurtured and their understanding deepened through meaningful, hands-on experiences. As they progress through school, they are encouraged to build on prior knowledge, making connections across units and within the wider curriculum. Science is celebrated throughout the school with events like British Science Week.
The impact of our science curriculum is evident as children develop skills to observe, question, hypothesise, and draw conclusions. We intend for our students to leave Thornham St. James as scientifically literate individuals who confidently use equipment, conduct experiments, and articulate concepts, all while retaining their curiosity and desire to understand the world. By the end of their primary years, our students are equipped not only with knowledge and skills but with an enduring sense of scientific inquiry that will serve them well in future learning and life.
Science Implementation
Our approach to science teaching at Thornham St. James is designed to ignite curiosity. Each lesson begins with a ‘flashback’ to reinforce previously learned concepts and an ‘anchor’ task to connect prior and current learning within the unit. This routine strengthens memory retention and enables students to build upon their knowledge systematically.
We use a variety of engaging activities, including hands-on investigations, outdoor learning, model demonstrations, and multimedia resources, all planned to facilitate active participation and collaboration. High-quality scientific language is integrated throughout lessons, encouraging students to express their understanding with precision. We adapt tasks to support children with different learning needs, using visual cues, small-group support, and structured feedback to ensure every child has access to scientific learning.
Science Impact
Assessment is a key component of our approach, with formative assessments guiding day-to-day teaching through questioning, retrieval tasks, and observations. Summative assessments help track attainment, allowing teachers to evaluate each child’s progress against National Curriculum objectives and scientific enquiry skills. This dual approach to assessment ensures that our teaching is responsive to students' needs, supporting all learners, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, in achieving expected outcomes.
Science at Thornham St. James is more than a curriculum; it’s a journey of discovery, equipping our children with the skills and curiosity to engage with and understand the ever-evolving scientific world around them. Through this journey, our pupils shine as confident, compassionate, and inquisitive young scientists.
Working Scientifically Progression Map
Science Skills Progression Map
