Science at Ordsall Primary School

Ordsall Primary School is proud to be a Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM) award-holding school, recognised nationally for its commitment to high-quality science teaching.

At Ordsall, science is a vital part of our curriculum. We believe science is not a collection of isolated facts, but a carefully planned body of knowledge that builds over time. Through science, pupils develop curiosity, understanding and the ability to think critically about the world around them.

Our Science Curriculum

Our science curriculum follows the National Curriculum and is built around two equally important elements:

• Substantive knowledge – the scientific facts, concepts and vocabulary pupils are taught and expected to remember

• Disciplinary knowledge – how pupils work and think as scientists, including observing, questioning, investigating, analysing evidence and drawing conclusions

Progression maps clearly set out what pupils should know and be able to do in each year group, ensuring learning is sequenced, cumulative and ambitious from Nursery to Year 6.

How Science Is Taught: Our Lesson Design

Across the school, science lessons follow a shared lesson design that supports strong understanding, independence and long-term memory. This provides consistency for pupils while allowing teachers to adapt teaching to meet individual needs.

Science lessons typically include:

• Big Picture – pupils understand what they are learning and why it matters

• Revisit – key prior knowledge and vocabulary are revisited to secure understanding

• Teach – clear teacher explanation, modelling and demonstration

• Learning Together – guided practice, discussion and investigation

• Independent Learning – pupils apply their learning independently with appropriate support

• Reflect – pupils review what they have learned and consider next steps

This structure helps pupils build confidence, resilience and strong learning habits over time.

Working Scientifically

Developing pupils’ ability to work scientifically is central to our science curriculum. Pupils regularly take part in practical investigations and enquiries that help them:

• ask scientific questions

• plan and carry out investigations

• observe, measure and record results

• explain findings using scientific language

Scientific vocabulary is taught explicitly and revisited frequently so pupils can communicate their ideas with increasing accuracy and confidence.

Inclusion and Impact

We are committed to ensuring that all pupils can access and succeed in science. Teaching is adapted to support individual needs without lowering expectations, and barriers to learning are identified and removed.

The impact of our science curriculum is seen in pupils’ secure knowledge, confidence in investigations, use of scientific vocabulary and their ability to explain and apply what they have learned.