Science at Cumberland

Our Intent

What would it be like to be the first person to visit Mars?

What is the difference between an evergreen and deciduous tree?

What do plants need to grow?

What happens to materials when they are heated?

What can we observe about different animals that will help us sort them into groups? 

From baking bread to designing habitats for minibeasts, our science curriculum takes our young learners on a journey of discovery and wonder. Through engaging practical experiences, visits and online encounters, they exercise their natural curiosity about the world around them to become mini scientists. 

Through careful layering of skills and experiences, our children secure both their substantive and disciplinary knowledge, with strong scientific vocabulary and a simple understanding of scientific methods. For instance, following a visit from the mobile farm in Reception, our young scientists go on to study woodland creatures in year one before looking at animals around the world as part of their year two ‘zany zookeeprs’ topic. Similarly, in the Early Years, the children become gardeners planting seeds and caring for them, before carefully studying what plants need to grow in key stage one. 

Our rigorous, project led curriculum encourages our young scientists to observe, question and predict, as well as offering them the opportunity to gather the evidence they need to identify patterns and classify their knowledge.

Click below for our Progression of Skills and Knowledge