Our KS2 science scheme of work and resources help pupils develop scientific knowledge alongside increasingly confident use of Working Scientifically skills. Designed for Years 3 to 6 and linked to the Science National Curriculum for England, Scintillating Science combines clear teaching sequences with practical investigation, scientific vocabulary and opportunities to use evidence to explain ideas.
Across KS2, pupils move from asking questions and setting up simple enquiries towards making more systematic observations, taking accurate measurements, identifying patterns and using results to draw conclusions. Our Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 science units support this progression through carefully sequenced lessons and practical scientific enquiry.
The National Curriculum programmes of study for Years 3 and 4 include:
The National Curriculum programmes of study for Years 5 and 6 include:
Working Scientifically is developed through the science topics pupils study. Across KS2, pupils ask relevant scientific questions, plan and carry out enquiries, make systematic observations and measurements, record and interpret data, identify patterns and use evidence to draw and justify conclusions.
Choose a year group to explore science topics, curriculum links, progression and teaching sequences.
Explore Year 3 science Explore Year 4 science Explore Year 5 science Explore Year 6 scienceIn KS2 science, pupils develop a broader and deeper understanding of the natural and physical world while becoming increasingly independent in scientific enquiry. Across Years 3 to 6, pupils ask questions, investigate scientific ideas, gather and interpret evidence and use increasingly precise scientific vocabulary to explain their findings.
The KS2 Science National Curriculum is organised into programmes of study for Years 3, 4, 5 and 6. Across Key Stage 2, pupils encounter topics including plants and animals, living things and their habitats, rocks, materials, light, sound, electricity, forces, Earth and space, and evolution and inheritance. Working Scientifically is taught through these areas rather than as a separate topic.
In Lower KS2 science, pupils broaden their scientific view of the world by exploring, discussing and testing ideas. They ask relevant questions, make systematic observations, gather and record data, group and classify, identify patterns and carry out comparative and fair tests. Explore our Year 3 science scheme and Year 4 science scheme.
In Upper KS2 science, pupils encounter increasingly complex scientific ideas and analyse relationships more systematically. They plan different types of enquiry, recognise and control variables, take increasingly accurate measurements, record and interpret data and use evidence to justify conclusions and scientific explanations. Explore our Year 5 science scheme and Year 6 science scheme.
Working scientifically is developed through the science topics pupils study. Across KS2, pupils progress from asking questions and carrying out simple enquiries to selecting appropriate methods, considering variables, analysing increasingly complex results and evaluating evidence. This allows scientific enquiry skills to develop alongside secure subject knowledge.
Practical investigation gives pupils opportunities to apply scientific knowledge and answer questions using evidence. Scintillating Science units include purposeful KS2 science investigations through which pupils make predictions, observe and measure, compare results, identify patterns and discuss whether the evidence supports their conclusions.
Our KS2 science resources provide teachers with structured materials for science teaching across Years 3 to 6, including:
As pupils move through KS2, expectations increase in both scientific knowledge and enquiry. Pupils progress from making observations, asking questions and carrying out investigations in Lower KS2 to planning enquiries, controlling variables, analysing data and justifying conclusions with evidence in Upper KS2.
See how KS2 science builds on earlier learning in our KS1 science scheme, or explore the complete primary science scheme of work from Reception to Year 6.
