Science

Science:

At David Livingstone Academy, we believe science is a powerful way for pupils to explore, understand, and make sense of the world around them. Through the key disciplines of biology, chemistry, and physics, pupils learn not only about the products of science but also develop a deep sense of excitement, curiosity, and wonder about natural phenomena.

We recognise science as a core subject that plays a vital role in shaping our lives and our future. To ensure strong progression and retention, science is taught weekly, giving pupils regular opportunities to revisit, practise, and build upon their learning before moving on to new content.

Our science curriculum is designed to develop both substantive knowledge—the facts and concepts that form the foundation of scientific understanding—and disciplinary knowledge—how scientific knowledge is developed through enquiry and investigation. Pupils learn to explain what is happening, make predictions, and analyse causes and outcomes using evidence and scientific reasoning.We understand that scientific knowledge is hierarchical: a secure grasp of foundational concepts is essential for pupils to progress. Therefore, we prioritise clear, teacher-directed instruction to explicitly teach the key knowledge and vocabulary required at each stage. Scientific language is taught with precision, enabling pupils to describe processes accurately and confidently using the correct technical terms.

Alongside this, we embed opportunities for pupils to learn how scientists work and think. This includes engaging in a range of scientific enquiry types—such as observing over time, identifying patterns, classifying and grouping, using secondary sources, and conducting fair and comparative tests. These approaches are carefully woven into our lessons to develop pupils' understanding of scientific procedures and methods.

To further support learning, we hold regular Science Meetings—short, focused sessions designed to revisit and reinforce key scientific concepts and vocabulary. These meetings give pupils the opportunity to deepen their understanding, apply their knowledge to real-world contexts, and strengthen their scientific language. They also support long-term retention by reviewing prior learning and preparing children for future topics.