At Locking Primary School, we follow the National Curriculum as we believe this is an ambitious curriculum which meets the needs of the children at the school.
The National Curriculum states:
National Curriculum Science - Aims |
The national curriculum for science aims to ensure that all pupils:
Scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding The programmes of study describe a sequence of knowledge and concepts. While it is important that pupils make progress, it is also vitally important that they develop secure understanding of each key block of knowledge and concepts in order to progress to the next stage. Insecure, superficial understanding will not allow genuine progression: pupils may struggle at key points of transition (such as between primary and secondary school), build up serious misconceptions, and/or have significant difficulties in understanding higher-order content. Pupils should be able to describe associated processes and key characteristics in common language, but they should also be familiar with, and use, technical terminology accurately and precisely. They should build up an extended specialist vocabulary. They should also apply their mathematical knowledge to their understanding of science, including collecting, presenting and analysing data. The social and economic implications of science are important but, generally, they are taught most appropriately within the wider school curriculum: teachers will wish to use different contexts to maximise their pupils’ engagement with and motivation to study science.
Nature, processes and methods of science ‘Working scientifically’ specifies the understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science for each year group. It should not be taught as a separate strand. The notes and guidance give examples of how ‘working scientifically’ might be embedded within the content of biology, chemistry and physics, focusing on the key features of scientific enquiry, so that pupils learn to use a variety of approaches to answer relevant scientific questions. These types of scientific enquiry should include: observing over time; pattern seeking; identifying, classifying and grouping; comparative and fair testing (controlled investigations); and researching using secondary sources. Pupils should seek answers to questions through collecting, analysing and presenting data. ‘Working scientifically’ will be developed further at key stages 3 and 4, once pupils have built up sufficient understanding of science to engage meaningfully in more sophisticated discussion of experimental design and control.
Spoken Language The national curriculum for science reflects the importance of spoken language in pupils’ development across the whole curriculum – cognitively, socially and linguistically. The quality and variety of language that pupils hear and speak are key factors in developing their scientific vocabulary and articulating scientific concepts clearly and precisely. They must be assisted in making their thinking clear, both to themselves and others, and teachers should ensure that pupils build secure foundations by using discussion to probe and remedy their misconceptions. |
National Curriculum Science – Subject Content | |
Year 1 | Year 2 |
Sc2/1 Working ScientificallyDuring years 1 and 2, pupils should be taught to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills through the teaching of the programme of study content: Sc2/1.2 observing closely, using simple equipment Sc2/1.3 performing simple tests Sc2/1.4 identifying and classifying Sc2/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions Sc2/1.6 gathering and recording data to help in answering questions.
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Sc1/2.1 PlantsSc1/2.1a identify and name a variety of common wild and garden plants, including deciduous and evergreen trees Sc1/2.1b identify and describe the basic structure of a variety of common flowering plants, including trees Sc1/2.2 Animals including humansSc1/2.2a identify and name a variety of common animals including, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammal Sc1/2.2b identify and name a variety of common animals that are carnivores, herbivores and omnivores Sc1/2.2c describe and compare the structure of a variety of common animals (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals including pets) Sc1/2.2d identify, name, draw and label the basic parts of the human body and say which part of the body is associated with each sense.Sc1/3.1 Everyday materialsSc1/3.1a distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made Sc1/3.1b identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, water, and rock Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials Sc1/3.1d compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical propertiesSc1/4.1 Seasonal ChangesSc1/4.1a observe changes across the 4 seasons Sc1/4.1b observe and describe weather associated with the seasons and how day length varies.
| Sc2/2.1 Living things and their habitatsSc2/2.1a explore and compare the differences between things that are living, dead, and things that have never been alive Sc2/2.1b identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other Sc2/2.1c identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including microhabitats Sc2/2.1d describe how animals obtain their food from plants and other animals, using the idea of a simple food chain, and identify and name different sources of food.
Sc2/2.2 PlantsSc2/2.2a observe and describe how seeds and bulbs grow into mature plants Sc2/2.2b find out and describe how plants need water, light and a suitable temperature to grow and stay healthy.
Sc2/2.3 Animals including humansSc2/2.3a notice that animals, including humans, have offspring which grow into adults Sc2/2.3b find out about and describe the basic needs of animals, including humans, for survival (water, food and air) Sc2/2.3c describe the importance for humans of exercise, eating the right amounts of different types of food, and hygiene.
Sc2/3.1 Uses of everyday materialsSc2/3.1a identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for different uses Sc2/3.1b find out how the shapes of solid objects made from some materials can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching
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Year 3 | Year 4 |
Sc4/1 Working ScientificallyDuring years 3 and 4, pupils should be taught to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills through the teaching of the programme of study content: Sc4/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests Sc4/1.3 making systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, taking accurate measurements using standard units, using a range of equipment, including thermometers and data loggers Sc4/1.4 gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions Sc4/1.5 recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts, and tables Sc4/1.6 reporting on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions Sc4/1.7 using results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and raise further questions Sc4/1.8 identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes Sc4/1.9 using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings.
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Sc3/2.1 PlantsSc3/2.1a identify and describe the functions of different parts of flowering plants: roots, stem/trunk, leaves and flowers Sc3/2.1b explore the requirements of plants for life and growth (air, light, water, nutrients from soil, and room to grow) and how they vary from plant to plant Sc3/2.1c investigate the way in which water is transported within plants Sc3/2.1d explore the part that flowers play in the life cycle of flowering plants, including pollination, seed formation and seed dispersal.
Sc3/2.2 Animals including humansSc3/2.2a identify that animals, including humans, need the right types and amount of nutrition, and that they cannot make their own food; they get nutrition from what they eat Sc3/2.2b identify that humans and some other animals have skeletons and muscles for support, protection and movement. Sc3/3.1 RocksSc3/3.1a compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties Sc3/3.1b describe in simple terms how fossils are formed when things that have lived are trapped within rock Sc3/3.1c recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter.
Sc3/4.1 LightSc3/4.1a recognise that they need light in order to see things and that dark is the absence of light Sc3/4.1b notice that light is reflected from surfaces Sc3/4.1c recognise that light from the sun can be dangerous and that there are ways to protect their eyes Sc3/4.1d recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by a solid object Sc3/4.1e find patterns in the way that the size of shadows change.
Sc3/4.2 Forces and MagnetsSc3/4.2a compare how things move on different surfaces Sc3/4.2b notice that some forces need contact between 2 objects, but magnetic forces can act at a distance Sc3/4.2c observe how magnets attract or repel each other and attract some materials and not others Sc3/4.2d compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of whether they are attracted to a magnet, and identify some magnetic materials Sc3/4.2e describe magnets as having 2 poles Sc3/4.2f predict whether 2 magnets will attract or repel each other, depending on which poles are facing.
| Sc4/2.1 All Living ThingsSc4/2.1a recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways Sc4/2.1b explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name a variety of living things in their local and wider environment Sc4/2.1c recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things.
Sc4/2.2a describe the simple functions of the basic parts of the digestive system in humans Sc4/2.2b identify the different types of teeth in humans and their simple functions Sc4/2.2c construct and interpret a variety of food chains, identifying producers, predators and prey.
Sc4/3.1 States of MatterSc4/3.1a compare and group materials together, according to whether they are solids, liquids or gases Sc4/3.1b observe that some materials change state when they are heated or cooled, and measure or research the temperature at which this happens in degrees Celsius (°C) Sc4/3.1c identify the part played by evaporation and condensation in the water cycle and associate the rate of evaporation with temperature.
Sc4/4.1 SoundSc4/4.1a identify how sounds are made, associating some of them with something vibrating Sc4/4.1b recognise that vibrations from sounds travel through a medium to the ear Sc4/4.1c find patterns between the pitch of a sound and features of the object that produced it Sc4/4.1d find patterns between the volume of a sound and the strength of the vibrations that produced it. Sc4/4.1e recognise that sounds get fainter as the distance from the sound source increases
Sc4/4.2 ElectricitySc4/4.2a identify common appliances that run on electricity Sc4/4.2b construct a simple series electrical circuit, identifying and naming its basic parts, including cells, wires, bulbs, switches and buzzers Sc4/4.2c identify whether or not a lamp will light in a simple series circuit, based on whether or not the lamp is part of a complete loop with a battery Sc4/4.2d recognise that a switch opens and closes a circuit and associate this with whether or not a lamp lights in a simple series circuit Sc4/4.2e recognise some common conductors and insulators, and associate metals with being good conductors.
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Year 5 | Year 6 |
Sc6/1 Working Scientifically | |
Sc5/2.1 Living Things and their habitatsSc5/2.1a describe the differences in the life cycles of a mammal, an amphibian, an insect and a bird Sc5/2.2 Animals, including humansSc5/2.2a describe the changes as humans develop to old age. Sc5/3.1 Properties and Changes of MaterialsSc5/3.1a compare and group together everyday materials on the basis of their properties, including their hardness, solubility, transparency, conductivity (electrical and thermal), and response to magnets
Sc5/4.1 Earth and SpaceSc5/4.1a describe the movement of the Earth, and other planets, relative to the Sun in the solar system
Sc5/4.2 ForcesSc5/4.2a explain that unsupported objects fall towards the Earth because of the force of gravity acting between the Earth and the falling object
| Sc6/2.1 Living Things and their habitatsSc6/2.1a describe how living things are classified into broad groups according to common observable characteristics and based on similarities and differences, including micro-organisms, plants and animals Sc6/2.1b give reasons for classifying plants and animals based on specific characteristics. Sc6/2.2 Animals including humansSc6/2.2a identify and name the main parts of the human circulatory system, and describe the functions of the heart, blood vessels and blood Sc6/2.2b recognise the impact of diet, exercise, drugs and lifestyle on the way their bodies function Sc6/2.2c describe the ways in which nutrients and water are transported within animals, including humans. Sc6/2.3 EvolutionSc6/2.3a recognise that living things have changed over time and that fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago Sc6/3.2b recognise that living things produce offspring of the same kind, but normally offspring vary and are not identical to their parents Sc6/2.3c identify how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways and that adaptation may lead to evolution. Sc6/4.1 LightSc6/4.1a recognise that light appears to travel in straight lines Sc6/4.2 ElectricitySc6/4.2a associate the brightness of a lamp or the volume of a buzzer with the number and voltage of cells used in the circuit Sc6/4.2b compare and give reasons for variations in how components function, including the brightness of bulbs, the loudness of buzzers and the on/off position of switches Sc6/4.2c use recognised symbols when representing a simple circuit in a diagram.
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