Intent
Why we teach this
- Every child develops a scientific mindset: noticing, questioning, predicting, testing, explaining.
- Knowledge is the bedrock of scientific reasoning — pupils retain a coherent body of facts to think with.
- Practical enquiry sits alongside reading, drawing and writing about science.
Implementation
How it lands in classrooms
- Cambridge Primary Science is the curriculum spine, with five strands: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Space, and Thinking & Working Scientifically.
- Every unit includes at least one practical investigation framed by one of the five enquiry types (observation, identification, pattern-seeking, fair test, research).
- Vocabulary is taught explicitly with diagrams and definitions kept in a science word-book.
- Cross-curricular links to Maths (data handling) and English (explanatory writing) are deliberate.
Impact
What learners can do
- By UKG, children name common materials and living things and describe what they observe.
- By Grade 2, children pose questions and make predictions; explain in cause-and-effect terms.
- By Grade 5, children design a fair test, record data, draw conclusions and identify limitations.
Programmes & resources
What we teach with and where families can read more
Programmes
Cambridge Primary Science
Curriculum spine with 5 strands.
For families
Working scientifically · enquiry types poster
The 5 enquiry types we use.
Home science kit · ideas list
Cheap, safe investigations at home.