Science

Overview of Science at Meadow

Our curriculum at Meadow is designed to ignite curiosity and foster a deep understanding of science by aligning closely with the National Curriculum while also integrating a broad, dynamic range of topics across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Our aim is to provide students with a strong foundation of scientific knowledge and skills, enhanced through engaging, hands-on activities that nurture conceptual understanding and expand scientific literacy.


At Meadow, each unit of enquiry begins with a purposeful context, encouraging children to tackle real-world problems using their scientific understanding. This child-led approach to enquiry supports the development of critical thinking, independence, and resilience. Through a structured framework of five types of scientific enquiry—fair testing, pattern seeking, grouping and classifying, research through secondary sources, and observations over time—students are encouraged to explore and learn actively. By embedding STEM career awareness into our lessons, we seek to build science capital, helping students recognise the diverse opportunities available within science and inspiring them to view science as a vital part of their lives.


Our curriculum also aims to celebrate and diversify students' understanding of science by introducing them to key figures who have made impactful contributions across various fields. Figures such as Diane France, Charles Macintosh, Amy Vedder, Mae Jemison, Mary Anning, Tu Youyou, Marie Curie, and Charles Darwin, among others, provide students with a broad perspective on scientific achievements and innovation. Our PSHE scheme further promotes interest in STEM, exploring the roles of women and other underrepresented groups in science through figures like Ada Twist the Scientist and William Kamkwamba (The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind). By emphasizing practical, inquiry-based learning and representation within STEM, our curriculum is dedicated to cultivating both scientific understanding and enthusiasm in every student.

Subject Leads

Mr Jack Anson

Intent, Implementation, Impact

Curriculum Statement (1).pdf

Curriculum Overview

Progression of Objectives

QofE Science End Points .pdf

End points at each stage of learning.


QofE Vocabulary Ladder Science.pdf

Vocabulary ladder

Science

National Curriculum Links

science-national-curriculum.pdf

Gallery

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Children learned about William Kamkwamba and how he taught himself about science, and managed to save his village by building a wind turbine that watered the crops. Our children also experimented with other scientific circuits that might be useful in William's village.

William Kamkwamba was named in TIME magazine and one of 30 people under 30 who are changing the world!

William Kamkwamba

Solar Power

Additional Activities to Support Learning

Primary Science Capital Teaching Approach

We have committed to introducing the Primary Science Capital Teaching Approach during academic year 2024-2025. The interest in improving student engagement and participation in science is driven by a social justice rationale, founded on the belief that: It is important to address social inequalities; Science can provide a route to social mobility, so more efforts should be made to include under-represented communities; Scientific advances mean that people will need to be increasingly STEM-literate if they are to be active citizens who can have a say in society. A social justice approach focuses on improving science engagement and participation for both the personal and the public good.