Intent

At Church Langton, we want every child to develop a deep understanding of the world around them through an engaging, ambitious and evidence-informed science curriculum. We use CUSP Science as our scheme of learning, which provides a carefully sequenced curriculum that builds knowledge over time and enables children to make meaningful connections between new learning and what they already know.

Our science curriculum is designed around the three key domains of biology, chemistry and physics, with substantive and disciplinary knowledge carefully developed across each year group. The curriculum is sequenced into meaningful and connected areas of learning, allowing children to become increasingly knowledgeable and expert as they progress through school. The Learn-AT Trust's Big Ideas are embedded within the CUSP Science curriculum, supporting children to develop a coherent understanding of important scientific concepts.

We want children to develop a strong understanding of scientific vocabulary and to use this confidently when explaining their ideas. Key vocabulary, including both Tier 2 and subject-specific Tier 3 vocabulary, is explicitly taught and revisited so that children can communicate their scientific thinking effectively.

A key part of our science curriculum is developing children's ability to work scientifically. Children are encouraged to ask questions, make predictions, plan and carry out investigations, make observations and measurements, record their findings and use evidence to draw conclusions. These skills are developed cumulatively throughout school so that children become increasingly independent and confident scientists.

We value diversity and inclusion within our science curriculum and provide opportunities for children to learn about scientists from the past and diverse present-day scientific role models. We aim to inspire children to see themselves as scientists and understand the important role science plays in our everyday lives and the wider world.

Implementation

Science is taught weekly at Church Langton using the CUSP Science scheme. New concepts are connected to knowledge that children have already acquired, helping them to develop strong and lasting mental models rather than learning isolated facts.

Each CUSP Science module identifies important knowledge, vocabulary and common misconceptions. Teachers explicitly address these misconceptions using examples and non-examples, helping children to develop an accurate scientific understanding. Knowledge organisers and knowledge notes are used to support children in recalling key information, applying scientific vocabulary and developing their understanding.

Working scientifically is embedded throughout each unit. Children have regular opportunities to investigate questions, make predictions, observe, measure, record results and explain their findings. Practical experiences and investigations are used to help children apply their scientific knowledge and make connections between what they learn in lessons and the world around them.

Quizzes are used to assess what children have learnt and understood. These quizzes are designed to check children's understanding of key knowledge and vocabulary. The information gained from these assessments helps teachers identify children's understanding and any areas that may need further teaching or clarification.

CUSP Science also provides opportunities for retrieval and spaced practice, allowing important knowledge to be revisited over time. This cumulative approach supports children in remembering and applying their learning as they progress through school. Teachers have high expectations of all pupils and use appropriate scaffolding, resources and support to ensure that all children can access and succeed in science.

We aim to provide children with memorable and purposeful scientific experiences which encourage curiosity, questioning and a desire to find out more. Through CUSP, children develop both the knowledge and skills they need to understand science and apply their learning to everyday life.

Science in EYFS

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, science is taught through Understanding the World, particularly the Natural World. Children develop their scientific understanding through opportunities to explore and investigate the world around them. They make observations of animals, plants and their environment, explore similarities and differences between different environments, and begin to understand important natural processes and changes, including the seasons and changing states of matter. These early experiences provide an important foundation for the knowledge and concepts that children will revisit and develop through the CUSP Science curriculum as they move into Key Stage 1.