Science in the National Curriculum 2004

This version of the National Curriculum was written to include only changes to the Key Stage Four Programme of Study (PoS) which would be first assessed in 2006. The Attainment Targets (AT) and PoS for Key Stages One, Two and Three did not change at this time. At Key Stage Four, the following overall changes were notable:
• The removal of the structure of Sc1 to Sc4 for the PoS
• The introduction of the ideas and associated terminology of ‘How Science Works’ (HSW)
• Under ‘Knowledge, skills and understanding’ a distinction is made between HSW and science content (under ‘Breadth of study’). This distinction at Key Stage Four also helped inform the next revision of Key Stage Three in 2007.
• The overall reduction in prescription at Key Stage Four which allowed greater freedom for examination boards to offer a greater range of science courses. Along with this comes the removal of any reference to single or double science, as this is now decided by Key Stage Four examination specifications such as GCSE Science and GCSE Additional Science.

Components
While Key Stages One, Two and Three remain the same as they were in 1999, Key Stage Four is structured as follows:

How science works
1. Data, evidence, theories and explanations
2. Practical and enquiry skills
3. Communication skills
4. Applications and implications of science
Breadth of study
5. Organisms and health
6. Chemical and material behaviour
7. Energy, electricity and radiations
8. Environment, Earth and universe

HEALTH and SAFETY
Any use of a resource that includes a practical activity must include a risk assessment. Please note that collections may contain ARCHIVE resources, which were developed at a much earlier date. Since that time there have been significant changes in the rules and guidance affecting laboratory practical work. Further information is provided in our Health and Safety guidance.

• URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx4v3