Science at South Kilworth Primary School: Inspiring Curious Minds with the CUSP Curriculum

At South Kilworth Primary School, we believe that every child is a scientist. Through our CUSP Science Curriculum (Curriculum with Unity Schools Partnership), we aim to develop children's natural curiosity about the world around them while building the scientific knowledge and skills they need for future learning.

Our curriculum is carefully structured so that children learn science in a meaningful and memorable way. By making connections between new and previous learning, pupils develop a deeper understanding of important scientific concepts and become confident, inquisitive learners.

What is CUSP Science?

CUSP Science is a knowledge-rich curriculum that enables children to develop a secure understanding of biology, chemistry and physics. Learning is carefully sequenced so that knowledge and skills build progressively from year to year.

Children explore scientific ideas through practical investigations, observation, discussion and enquiry, helping them to understand not only what happens, but also why it happens.

What Makes CUSP Science Special?

Building Knowledge Over Time

Scientific knowledge is revisited and strengthened throughout a child's journey in school. This helps pupils remember key concepts, make connections between different areas of science and develop a deeper understanding over time.

Developing Scientific Thinking

Children are encouraged to ask questions, make predictions, test ideas and interpret evidence. These essential enquiry skills help pupils think critically and develop a genuine understanding of how science works.

Rich Scientific Vocabulary

Language is at the heart of learning. Pupils are explicitly taught important scientific vocabulary and are encouraged to use it confidently when explaining their ideas and findings.

Learning Through Investigation

Hands-on practical experiences allow children to explore scientific concepts first-hand. Through investigations and experiments, pupils learn to observe carefully, record results and draw conclusions based on evidence.

Preparing Children for the Future

Science helps children understand the world they live in and equips them with valuable life skills such as problem-solving, resilience, collaboration and analytical thinking. These skills support learning across the curriculum and beyond.

How We Help Learning Stick

A key feature of the CUSP curriculum is the focus on helping children remember what they have learned. Regular retrieval practice, revisiting prior knowledge and making links between topics strengthen understanding and support long-term memory.

This approach helps pupils become confident learners who can apply their scientific knowledge in new and unfamiliar contexts.

Working in Partnership with Parents

We value the important role parents play in supporting children's learning. Throughout the year, we will share information about the scientific topics being studied and suggest ways to continue developing curiosity and discussion at home.

By working together, we can nurture children's natural wonder, encourage them to ask questions about the world around them and inspire a lifelong love of science.

Our aim is simple: to develop knowledgeable, curious and confident young scientists who are excited to explore, investigate and discover.