These notes relate to a focus on obesity, healthy food, and

other topics within the new curriculum. In addition, food

growing and gardening may be used to link to the practical
experience of concepts in Maths, in creative and descriptive
writing in Literacy; and to many other curriculum subjects.

Primary National Curriculum 2013 SCIENCE

Green highlight shows excerpts which link to food
growing and gardening to enhance childrens
understanding and involvement

Yellow highlight shows excerpts where food-growing

and gardening areas can be used for other curriculum
work

Science Key stage 1 programme of study

years 1 and 2
Working scientifically
Statutory requirements
During 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:
asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
observing closely, using simple equipment
performing simple tests
identifying and classifying
using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
gathering and recording data to help in answering questions.
Notes and guidance (non-statutory)
Pupils in years 1 and 2 should explore the world around them and raise their own questions.
They should experience different types of scientific enquiries, including practical activities,
and begin to recognise ways in which they might answer scientific questions. They should
use simple features to compare objects, materials and living things and, with help, decide
how to sort and group them, observe changes over time, and, with guidance, they should
begin to notice patterns and relationships. They should ask people questions and use simple
secondary sources to find answers. They should use simple measurements and equipment
(for example, hand lenses, egg timers) to gather data, carry out simple tests, record simple
data, and talk about what they have found out and how they found it out. With help, they
should record and communicate their findings in a range of ways and begin to use simple
scientific language.
Year 1 science programme of study
Plants
Statutory requirements
Pupils should be taught to:
identify and name a variety of common wild and garden plants, including deciduous and
evergreen trees
identify and describe the basic structure of a variety of common flowering plants, including
trees.
Notes and guidance (non-statutory)
Pupils should use the local environment throughout the year to explore and answer questions
about plants growing in their habitat. Where possible, they should observe the growth of
flowers and vegetables that they have planted.
They should become familiar with common names of flowers, examples of deciduous and
evergreen trees, and plant structures (including leaves, flowers (blossom), petals, fruit, roots,
bulb, seed, trunk, branches, stem).
Pupils might work scientifically by: observing closely, perhaps using magnifying glasses, and
comparing and contrasting familiar plants; describing how they were able to identify and
group them, and drawing diagrams showing the parts of different plants including trees. Pupils
might keep records of how plants have changed over time, for example the leaves falling off
trees and buds opening; and compare and contrast what they have found out about different
plants.

Year 2 science programme of study :

Living things and their habitats
Statutory requirements
explore and compare the differences between things that are living, dead, and things
that have never been alive
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
identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including micro-
habitats
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.
Notes and guidance (non-statutory)
They should raise and answer questions about the local environment that help them to
identify and study a variety of plants and animals within their habitat and observe how
living things depend on each other, for example, plants serving as a source of food and
shelter for animals. Pupils should compare animals in familiar habitats with animals
found in less familiar habitats, for example, on the seashore, in woodland, in the ocean,
in the rainforest.

Plants
Statutory requirements
observe and describe how seeds and bulbs grow into mature plants
find out and describe how plants need water, light and a suitable temperature to grow
and stay healthy.
Notes and guidance (non-statutory)
Pupils should use the local environment throughout the year to observe how different plants
grow. Pupils should be introduced to the requirements of plants for germination, growth and
survival, as well as to the processes of reproduction and growth in plants.

Animals, including humans

Statutory requirements
describe the importance for humans of exercise, eating the right amounts of different
types of food, and hygiene.
Notes and guidance (non-statutory)
Pupils should be introduced to the basic needs of animals for survival, as well as the
importance of exercise and nutrition for humans.

Year 3 science programme of study

Plants
Statutory requirements
identify and describe the functions of different parts of flowering plants: roots,
stem/trunk, leaves and flowers
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
investigate the way in which water is transported within plants
explore the part that flowers play in the life cycle of flowering plants, including
pollination, seed formation and seed dispersal.
Notes and guidance (non-statutory)
Pupils should be introduced to the relationship between structure and function: the idea
that every part has a job to do. They should explore questions that focus on the role of
the roots and stem in nutrition and support, leaves for nutrition and flowers for
reproduction.
Pupils might work scientifically by: comparing the effect of different factors on plant
growth, for example, the amount of light, the amount of fertiliser; discovering how seeds
are formed by observing the different stages of plant life cycles over a period of time;
looking for patterns in the structure of fruits that relate to how the seeds are dispersed.
Note: Pupils can be introduced to the idea that plants can make their own food, but
at this stage they do not need to understand how this happens.

Animals, including humans

Statutory requirements
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

Rocks
Statutory requirements
recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter.
Notes and guidance (non-statutory)
Linked with work in geography, pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils,
including those in the local environment.
Year 4 science programme of study
Living things and their habitats
Statutory requirements
recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways
explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name a variety of living
things in their local and wider environment
recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to
living things.
Notes and guidance (non-statutory)
Pupils should use the local environment throughout the year to raise and answer questions
that help them to identify and study plants and animals in their habitat. They should identify
how the habitat changes throughout the year. Pupils should explore possible ways of
grouping a wide selection of living things that include animals and flowering plants and non-
flowering plants. ..

Year 5 science programme of study

Living things and their habitats
Statutory requirements
describe the life process of reproduction in some plants and animals.
Notes and guidance (non-statutory)
Pupils should study and raise questions about their local environment throughout the year.
They should observe life-cycle changes in a variety of living things, for example, plants in the
vegetable garden or flower border,. Pupils should find out about different types of
reproduction, including sexual and asexual reproduction in plants,
Pupils might work scientifically by: observing and comparing the life cycles of plants and
animals in their local environment with other plants and animals around the world (in the
rainforest, in the oceans, in desert areas and in prehistoric times), asking pertinent questions
and suggesting reasons for similarities and differences. They might try to grow new plants
from different parts of the parent plant, for example, seeds, stem and root cuttings, tubers,
bulbs. ..

Year 6 science programme of study

Living things and their habitats
Statutory requirements

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
Notes and guidance (non-statutory)
.Through direct observations where possible, they should classify animals into commonly
found invertebrates (such as insects, spiders, snails, worms) and vertebrates (fish,
amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals). . Pupils might work scientifically by: using
classification systems and keys to identify some animals and plants in the immediate
environment.
 Design and technology programmes of
study: key stages 1 and 2 (excerpts)
links to food growing and gardening to enhance
childrens understanding and involvement
Design and technology 4 Cooking and nutrition
As part of their work with food, pupils should be taught how to cook and apply the
principles of nutrition and healthy eating. Instilling a love of cooking in pupils will also
open a door to one of the great expressions of human creativity. Learning how to cook is
a crucial life skill that enables pupils to feed themselves and others affordably and well,
now and in later life. Pupils should be taught to:

Key stage 1
use the basic principles of a healthy and varied diet to prepare dishes
understand where food comes from.

Key stage 2
understand and apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet
prepare and cook a variety of predominantly savoury dishes using a range of cooking
techniques
understand seasonality, and know where and how a variety of ingredients are grown,
reared, caught and processed

Personal, social and health education

(PSHE): Key Stage 1.
This programme is non-statutory

Preparing to play an active role as citizens

2e. to realise that people and other living things have needs, and that they have
responsibilities to meet them
2g. what improves and harms their local, natural and built environments and about some
of the ways people look after them
Note for 2g - Cross reference to geography
Geographical enquiry and skills
1. In undertaking geographical enquiry, pupils should be taught to:
c. express their own views about people, places and environments [for example, about litter in the
school]
Knowledge and understanding of environmental change and sustainable development
5. Pupils should be taught to:
a. recognise changes in the environment [for example, traffic pollution in a street]
b. recognise how the environment may be improved and sustained [for example, by restricting the
number of cars]
Note for 2g - Cross reference to science
Sc2 Life processes and living things: Living things in their environment
5. Pupils should be taught to:
c. care for the environment

Developing a healthy, safer lifestyle

3a. how to make simple choices that improve their health and wellbeing
Note for 3a - Cross reference to physical education
Knowledge and understanding of fitness and health
4. Pupils should be taught:
a. how important it is to be active
Note for 3d-3f - Cross reference to science
Sc2 Life processes and living things: Humans and other animals
2. Pupils should be taught:
b. that humans and other animals need food and water to stay alive
c. that taking exercise and eating the right types and amounts of food help humans to keep
healthy
e. how to treat animals with care and sensitivity
f. that humans and other animals can produce offspring and that these offspring grow into adults
===============================================================
Personal, social and health education
(PSHE): Key Stage 2
Preparing to play an active role as citizens
2. Pupils should be taught:
2j. that resources can be allocated in different ways and that these economic choices
affect individuals, communities and the sustainability of the environment
Note for 2j - Cross reference to geography
Knowledge and understanding of environmental change and sustainable development
5. Pupils should be taught to:
a. recognise how people can improve the environment [for example, by reclaiming
derelict land] or damage it [for example, by polluting a river], and how decisions about
places and environments affect the future quality of people's lives
b. recognise how and why people may seek to manage environments sustainably, and
to identify opportunities for their own involvement [for example, taking part in a local
conservation project
Developing a healthy, safer lifestyle
3. Pupils should be taught:
3a. what makes a healthy lifestyle, including the benefits of exercise and healthy eating,
what affects mental health, and how to make informed choices
Breadth of opportunities
5. During the key stage, pupils should be taught the knowledge, skills and understanding
through opportunities to:
a. take responsibility [for example, for planning and looking after the school environment;
for the needs of others, such as by acting as a peer supporter, as a befriender, or as a
playground mediator for younger pupils; for looking after animals properly; for identifying
safe, healthy and sustainable means of travel when planning their journey to school]
Note for 3 - Cross reference to science
Sc2 Life processes and living things: Humans and other animals
2. Pupils should be taught:
Nutrition
b. about the need for food for activity and growth, and about the importance of an adequate and
varied diet for health
Health
h. about the importance of exercise for good health

Note: Extracts taken from

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum