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Year 1 science lesson plans (national curriculum)

Every Year 1 science statement from the national curriculum programme of study, grouped by strand. Choose "Plan this" and Heapso plans a lesson that covers it.

Working scientifically

  • ENG-NC-SC-Y12-001

    asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways

    Taught across Years 1 and 2

    Plan this
  • ENG-NC-SC-Y12-002

    observing closely, using simple equipment

    Taught across Years 1 and 2

    Plan this
  • ENG-NC-SC-Y12-003

    performing simple tests

    Taught across Years 1 and 2

    Plan this
  • ENG-NC-SC-Y12-004

    identifying and classifying

    Taught across Years 1 and 2

    Plan this
  • ENG-NC-SC-Y12-005

    using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions

    Taught across Years 1 and 2

    Plan this
  • ENG-NC-SC-Y12-006

    gathering and recording data to help in answering questions

    Taught across Years 1 and 2

    Plan this

Plants

  • ENG-NC-SC-Y1-001

    identify and name a variety of common wild and garden plants, including deciduous and evergreen trees

    Plan this
  • ENG-NC-SC-Y1-002

    identify and describe the basic structure of a variety of common flowering plants, including trees

    Plan this

Animals, including humans

  • ENG-NC-SC-Y1-003

    identify and name a variety of common animals including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals

    Plan this
  • ENG-NC-SC-Y1-004

    identify and name a variety of common animals that are carnivores, herbivores and omnivores

    Plan this
  • ENG-NC-SC-Y1-005

    describe and compare the structure of a variety of common animals (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals including pets)

    Plan this
  • ENG-NC-SC-Y1-006

    identify, name, draw and label the basic parts of the human body and say which part of the body is associated with each sense

    Plan this

Everyday materials

  • ENG-NC-SC-Y1-007

    distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made

    Plan this
  • ENG-NC-SC-Y1-008

    identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, water, and rock

    Plan this
  • ENG-NC-SC-Y1-009

    describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials

    Plan this
  • ENG-NC-SC-Y1-010

    compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties

    Plan this

Seasonal changes

  • ENG-NC-SC-Y1-011

    observe changes across the 4 seasons

    Plan this
  • ENG-NC-SC-Y1-012

    observe and describe weather associated with the seasons and how day length varies

    Plan this

Questions teachers ask

What do pupils learn in Year 1 science?
The national curriculum has 18 statutory science statements for Year 1. They are listed on this page by strand, each with a code.
How do I plan a Year 1 science lesson for a statement?
Choose "Plan this" next to the statement. Heapso opens a lesson plan set to Year 1 science with that statement linked. You can change anything before Pip writes.

Plan your next Year 1 science unit

Heapso opens a unit plan set to Year 1 science. Add the statements you're teaching and Pip cites only those, in British English.

Plan this unit free

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Department for Education, National curriculum in England (2013, updated 2014–2021). Open Government Licence v3.0.

Heapso is an independent planning tool. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department for Education, the Welsh Government, the Department of Education (Northern Ireland), CCEA, Ofqual, Qualifications Wales or any exam board. Curriculum statements are reproduced from official sources under the Open Government Licence v3.0, with a link to each source. Always check the official documents for what is statutory.