Working Scientifically

At Barnham CEVCP children will gradually build on their scientific skills throughout the Key Stages based on National Curriculum expectations.

Lower Key Stage 2: 

• Asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them 

• Setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests 

• Making systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, taking accurate measurements using standard units, using a range of equipment, including thermometers and data loggers 

• Gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions 

• Recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts, and tables 

• Reporting on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions 

• Using results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and raise further questions 

• Identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes 

• Using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings. 

Upper Key Stage 2: 

• Planning different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, including recognising and controlling variables where necessary 

• Taking measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate

• Recording data and results of increasing complexity using scientific diagrams and labels, classification keys, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs 

• Using test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests 

• Reporting and presenting findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of and a degree of trust in results, in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations 

• Identifying scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments