At The Basildon Upper Academy, we believe that Science education provides students with the knowledge, skills and curiosity needed to understand the world around them and their place within it. Science is fundamental to human progress and plays a vital role in shaping the future. 

Our curriculum is designed to ensure that all students develop a deep understanding of key scientific concepts across Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Through a carefully sequenced journey, students build knowledge over time, revisiting ideas to strengthen understanding and develop long-term memory. 

We are committed to creating an ambitious and inclusive Science curriculum that supports every learner to succeed, regardless of starting point. This reflects our trust ethos of “Aspire, Believe, Achieve”, ensuring that all students are provided with equitable opportunities to develop knowledge, cultural capital and independence 

Students learn through a structured, knowledge-rich curriculum that builds progressively from prior learning. Lessons develop students’ ability to think scientifically by asking questions, forming hypotheses, analysing data, evaluating evidence and applying scientific knowledge to real-world contexts. Our curriculum is sequenced to ensure depth and progression, enabling students to retain knowledge and apply it confidently in new situations 

We provide a supportive and inclusive learning environment where all students feel respected and valued. Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to our vision, ensuring that every student has access to the same high-quality curriculum and learning experiences. 

Strong relationships between staff and students create a positive climate where learners feel confident to ask questions, take risks and develop resilience. 

Our Science curriculum is designed to support students both academically and personally by providing targeted support and intervention where needed, offering opportunities to build confidence and independence, and promoting a culture that celebrates effort, curiosity and achievement. Students are supported to develop resilience and independence, preparing them for further education, employment and lifelong learning 

Science opens the door to a wide range of career pathways. Throughout the curriculum, students explore how scientific knowledge connects to careers such as medicine and healthcare, engineering and technology, environmental science, and forensic science and research. We explicitly highlight career pathways within each topic to raise aspirations and demonstrate the relevance of Science in the real world, supporting social mobility 

The Science curriculum supports our academy values by developing resilience through problem solving and practical work, curiosity by encouraging questioning and exploration, responsibility through understanding the ethical implications of science, and respect by working collaboratively and valuing different viewpoints. Students learn to become reflective, informed and responsible citizens 

Literacy and numeracy are embedded throughout Science lessons through the use of key scientific vocabulary and structured explanations, extended writing to explain scientific processes, and activities involving data analysis, graph interpretation and calculations. Students also apply mathematical skills such as ratios, averages and equations, supporting success across the curriculum and beyond.

Lessons follow a structured approach informed by how students learn best. This includes retrieval practice to strengthen memory, clear teacher explanations and modelling, guided practice with support, and independent application of knowledge. Learning is broken into small, manageable steps to ensure all students can access the curriculum and succeed. 

We ensure that every student makes progress through a carefully sequenced curriculum that builds on prior knowledge and develops understanding over time. Teachers use regular checks for understanding and ongoing formative assessment to identify gaps in learning and adapt their teaching accordingly. Lessons are designed with high expectations for all students, with appropriate challenge and support to meet individual needs. Adaptive teaching strategies, targeted questioning and timely intervention ensure that all learners are supported to overcome misconceptions and deepen their understanding, enabling them to make sustained progress throughout their Science journey. 

Formative assessment is central to every lesson and includes the use of hinge questions to check understanding, mini whiteboard tasks for immediate feedback, low-stakes quizzes and retrieval activities, and targeted questioning. This enables teachers to adapt their teaching in real time and quickly address misconceptions 

Lessons are designed to support all learners by breaking complex ideas into manageable steps, using visual aids, models and practical demonstrations, and providing structured sentence starters and guided tasks. Support is gradually removed over time to build independence, ensuring all students can access the curriculum and achieve success. 

Students receive regular and meaningful feedback through immediate verbal feedback during lessons, written feedback on key pieces of work, self and peer assessment opportunities, and whole-class feedback addressing misconceptions. This feedback focuses on how students can improve and develop their understanding further.

Success in Science means that every student understands and can apply key scientific concepts, uses scientific vocabulary accurately, thinks critically and evaluates evidence, and demonstrates curiosity and engagement in learning. All students are supported to achieve their potential and make progress regardless of their starting point 

Science equips students with a wide range of transferable skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Through the study of Science, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills, enabling them to make informed decisions based on evidence. They gain a deeper understanding of the world around them and the global challenges facing society, such as sustainability, health and technological advancement. By fostering curiosity, independence and resilience, the Science curriculum encourages students to become confident, lifelong learners who are able to adapt, think critically and contribute positively to the world in which they live.