At Edge Hill, we have adopted the CUSP Framework as our Science learning scheme. This resource for planning closely follows the outcomes of the National Curriculum but also considers research-based evidence throughout.

Our aim is to ensure that all children are exposed to as many opportunities as possible to work scientifically and to have a strong understanding of scientific vocabulary as well as using ‘think hard’ tasks to further reason and justify scientific topics. Science is explicitly broken down into Physics, Chemistry and Biology, which we feel will prepare our children as they move into KS3. Our planning shows a clear progression of the knowledge and skills that children will build on, year upon year.

Children at Edge Hill receive weekly Science lessons. Learning is supported through quality teaching, Curriculum Visions books, videos and opportunities to carry out real-life scientific investigations. The academic year is broken down into 6 units with 6 weeks in each block. Each lesson consists of a retrieval task which ensures regular practice of learning already completed, a vocabulary task that introduces and explains new vocabulary, an activity that ensures ‘Today’s Question’ has been answered and an opportunity to reason through class discussion.

During all lessons, children will be encouraged to think like a scientist and are regularly reminded of our working scientifically skills. These are asking questions, planning an enquiry, making predictions, observing closely, taking measurements, gathering and recording results, presenting results / learning, interpreting results, drawing conclusions and evaluating an enquiry.

To support ongoing assessment, weekly retrieval exercises are used to assess learning in the moment. Marking of work completed also takes place after every lesson, which allows children to see their next steps, if needed.

To assess learning at the end of each unit, we have introduced a new format for science assessment against the key knowledge taught. This allows teachers to see which children are below, meeting or above the expected standard. Assessment of each unit allows teachers to adapt future planning to support the different needs of each child. Further to this, pupil voice is used to gauge scientific knowledge throughout the school.