We are delighted to inform you that our submission for  Round 23 Autumn Primary Science Quality Mark was successful. 

Intent

At Meadowhead Junior School, the intent of the Key Stage 2 science curriculum is to develop pupils’ curiosity, critical thinking and understanding of the world through high-quality scientific experiences, in line with the National Curriculum. We aim to ensure that all pupils develop a secure understanding of substantive scientific knowledge across all areas of science, alongside the disciplinary knowledge needed to work scientifically.

Through the use of the PLAN scheme, pupils build knowledge progressively, revisit key concepts and develop increasingly sophisticated scientific vocabulary and understanding as they move through the school. We place a strong emphasis on scientific enquiry, ensuring that pupils are able to ask questions, plan and carry out investigations, analyse results and draw conclusions using evidence.

By embedding TAPS (Primary Science Teaching Trust) enquiry types, pupils develop confidence in a wide range of investigative approaches, enabling them to think and act like scientists. We also prioritise oracy and discussion, using Explorify resources to stimulate curiosity, encourage reasoning, and enable pupils to articulate scientific ideas clearly and respectfully.

Our intent is that all pupils leave KS2 as confident, inquisitive learners who understand the relevance of science to everyday life and are well-prepared for further scientific learning.

Implementation

Science is taught weekly across Key Stage 2 using the PLAN scheme, ensuring full coverage of the National Curriculum and clear progression of knowledge and skills. The curriculum is organised into clearly sequenced units across the academic year, as outlined in the long-term overview:

Each unit builds upon prior learning, allowing pupils to revisit and deepen their understanding of key concepts such as forces, light, electricity and living things as they progress through KS2.

Scientific enquiry is explicitly planned through the TAPS framework, ensuring pupils experience a range of enquiry types including:

• Identifying and classifying
• Pattern seeking
• Comparative and fair testing
• Observing over time
• Research using secondary sources

Lessons are structured to include opportunities for pupils to ask questions, make predictions, select appropriate equipment, collect and record data, and evaluate findings. Teachers model scientific language and support pupils in using evidence to justify conclusions.

Explorify resources are used regularly to promote high-quality talk, questioning and reasoning. Activities such as concept cartoons, odd-one-out tasks and big questions are used at the start and during lessons to support oracy, challenge misconceptions and encourage collaborative discussion.

Assessment for learning is ongoing, with teachers using questioning, pupil explanations and outcomes from investigations to inform next steps. Knowledge organisers and key vocabulary are revisited to support retention and understanding.

Impact

Pupils:

• Demonstrate a secure and progressive understanding of scientific knowledge across biology, chemistry and physics
• Can confidently plan and carry out a range of scientific enquiries using appropriate methods.
• Use accurate scientific vocabulary to explain ideas, justify opinions and discuss findings.
• Show curiosity about the world around them and can make links between science and everyday life.

Outcomes in books and discussions show clear progression in both knowledge and working scientifically skills. Pupils are able to talk confidently about their learning, reflect on investigations and explain how evidence supports conclusions.

By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils are well-prepared for secondary science, having developed strong enquiry skills, resilience in problem-solving and a positive attitude towards scientific learning.