Science at St Cuthbert’s
Inspiring curiosity, discovery and a love of learning.
At St Cuthbert’s, our science curriculum encourages children to explore the world around them through questioning, investigation and hands-on experiences. We nurture confident, curious learners who understand how science shapes our lives - now and in the future.
Science is an exciting and important part of our curriculum. From the very beginning, children are encouraged to ask questions, explore ideas and discover how things work. We nurture their natural curiosity so they grow into thoughtful, independent learners.
Our Vision
We aim for all children to:
- 🌟 Develop a love of science and discovery
- ❓ Ask questions and think critically
- 🧠 Build secure scientific knowledge over time
- 🗣️ Use scientific vocabulary with confidence
- 🌱 Show care and respect for the world around them
Through science, our children learn to understand the world God created and their place within it.
What Science Looks Like
Science at St Cuthbert’s is hands-on, practical and engaging.
In lessons, children:
- Carry out investigations and experiments
- Make predictions and test their ideas
- Observe, record and explain their findings
- Work both independently and collaboratively
Lessons include:
- 🔁 Revisiting previous learning
- ❓ An enquiry question to spark curiosity
- 🧪 Practical investigation or activity
- 💬 Time to reflect and explain learning
This approach helps children remember more and understand more over time.
Our Curriculum
Our science curriculum follows the National Curriculum and is carefully planned so that learning is sequenced and builds over time.
Children study a wide range of topics across:
- 🌱 Plants and living things
- 🧍 Animals including humans
- 💡 Light and electricity
- 🧲 Forces and materials
- 🌍 Earth and space
Key ideas are revisited as children move through school, allowing them to develop a deeper understanding each year.
Supporting Every Child
We believe that every child can succeed in science.
Teachers support learning by:
- Breaking learning into clear, manageable steps
- Using visuals, models and practical resources
- Teaching key vocabulary explicitly
- Adapting tasks to meet individual needs
This ensures all pupils, including those with additional needs, can access, enjoy and achieve in science.
How We Support Progress
Teachers regularly check children’s understanding through:
- Questioning and discussion
- Observation during practical work
- Reviewing children’s recorded work
At the end of each topic, children complete assessments to show what they have learned. This helps teachers:
- Identify gaps or misconceptions
- Provide support or additional challenge
- Ensure all children make strong progress
Beyond the Classroom
Science is brought to life beyond lessons through:
- 🌿 Outdoor learning opportunities
- 🔬 STEM activities and enrichment
- 🌍 Exploring science in everyday life
We encourage children to see that science is all around them and something they can continue to explore outside of school.
How You Can Help at Home
You don’t need to be a scientist to support your child with science. Everyday experiences, conversations and simple activities can make a big difference in helping children develop curiosity and understanding.
🌍 Explore the World Around You
- Spend time outdoors noticing seasonal changes, plants and animals
- Visit local areas such as the beach, parks or countryside
- Talk about what you see and ask questions together
👉 Try asking:
- What do you notice?
- Why do you think that happens?
- What might happen next?
🏙️ Visit Places That Bring Science to Life
We are fortunate to have excellent science experiences nearby:
- Life Science Centre (Newcastle) – interactive science exhibits and hands-on learning
- Discovery Museum (Newcastle) – explore engineering, materials and inventions
- Durham Coast / Seaham Beach – explore rocks, fossils, habitats and wildlife
- Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve – great for observing animals and habitats
👉 Visits like these help children see how science connects to the real world.
🔬 Try Simple Science at Home
You can explore science through everyday activities:
- Cooking and baking – measuring, mixing and observing changes
- Growing plants – watch how things change over time
- Freezing and melting – explore states of matter
- Floating and sinking – test objects in water
- Light and shadows – use torches or sunlight to explore
👀 Notice and Talk
Science often starts with noticing!
- Talk about the weather and seasons
- Look at how things change over time
- Compare materials (soft/hard, heavy/light)
- Encourage your child to describe what they see
📚 Read, Watch and Talk Together
- Read books or watch programmes about science topics
- Talk about what you have learned together
- Encourage children to explain their ideas
Talking is one of the most important ways children learn in science.
Our Aim
We want children to see that science is all around them — not just in school.
By exploring, questioning and noticing together, you can help your child develop curiosity, confidence and a lifelong love of learning.