What makes a great KS1 and KS2 science lesson? A quick starter guide for 2026

Primary science lessons are essential in helping your pupils make sense of the world around them. However, for you as a busy teacher, delivering great KS1 or KS2 science lessons means balancing everything the curriculum demands - knowledge coverage, practical enquiry and pupil engagement. Here’s how you can achieve all three with a Developing Experts lesson. 

Putting Working Scientifically at the centre 

The National Curriculum is clear that science teaching in KS1 and KS2 should develop pupils’ working scientifically skills alongside their knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics. Great lessons give pupils frequent opportunities to ask questions, observe closely, carry out simple experiments and discuss their findings. 

Every Developing Experts lesson is explicitly aligned to the National Curriculum, with working scientifically embedded into each activity. Your pupils build enquiry skills from Year 1 onwards.

Knowledge is carefully sequenced and revisited 

Progression is an important consideration in primary science. Concepts such as plants, materials, forces and electricity need to be introduced at the right time and revisited in increasingly complex ways to avoid misconceptions.

DE’s KS1 and KS2 curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure clear progression in scientific knowledge and vocabulary. Lessons build on prior learning and prepare pupils for what comes next, supporting long-term understanding rather than short-term recall.

Lessons are purposeful and engaging 

Our lessons are designed to be classroom-ready, with clear indications of all the resources, equipment and any prior preparation you’ll need to do. We make sure that all our activities are purposeful and meaningful, making sure your pupils stay engaged while still hitting the lesson’s learning objectives. 

Assessments that support learning 

A key focus of our assessment materials is that they feel natural and supportive, allowing pupils a range of opportunities to showcase their knowledge and learning. We embed assessment for learning throughout every lesson, with quizzes, discussion prompts and group activities all included. Our end-of-unit assessments link directly to the unit’s learning and are readily downloadable from the platform. 

Technology that helps you with planning 

The best science lessons are supported by tools and resources that help make your planning easier while still allowing you to maintain high curriculum standards. 

Our platform tools and AI Lesson Builder are tailored to year groups, topics and National Curriculum requirements, meaning you have more time to focus on the lesson itself. 

Ready to see what great primary science looks like in practice? 

Sign up for a free trial of Developing Experts and explore expertly designed KS1 and KS2 science lessons. We’re here to support teachers and inspire your pupils with our resources. 

Click here to sign up today - it’s free, and at the end of your trial, you’re under no obligation to subscribe.