This document provides assessment guidelines for levels 4 and 5 of the APP Primary Science assessment framework. It outlines the key assessment focuses (AFs) in science including thinking scientifically, understanding applications and implications, communicating and collaborating, using investigative approaches, and working critically with evidence. For each AF, it describes the skills and knowledge pupils should demonstrate at levels 4 and 5.

1. The National Strategies  Primary
Assessing Pupils’ Progress in primary science
APP Primary Science Assessment Guidelines: levels 4 and 5
AF1 – Thinking scientifically AF2 – Understanding the AF3 – Communicating and AF4 – Using investigative AF5 – Working critically with
applications and implications of collaborating in science approaches evidence
science
L Across a range of contexts and Across a range of contexts and practical Across a range of contexts and practical Across a range of contexts and Across a range of contexts and
5 practical situations pupils: situations pupils: situations pupils: practical situations pupils: practical situations pupils:
 Use abstract ideas or models or  Describe different viewpoints a range of  Distinguish between opinion and  Recognise significant variables  Interpret data in a variety of
more than one step when people may have about scientific or scientific evidence in contexts related to in investigations, selecting the formats, recognising obvious
describing processes or technological developments science, and use evidence rather than most suitable to investigate inconsistencies
phenomena  Indicate how scientific or technological opinion to support or challenge  Explain why particular pieces of  Provide straightforward
 Explain processes or developments may affect different scientific arguments equipment or information explanations for differences in
phenomena, suggest solutions to groups of people in different ways  Decide on the most appropriate formats sources are appropriate for the repeated observations or
problems or answer questions by  Identify ethical or moral issues linked to to present sets of scientific data, such questions or ideas under measurements
drawing on abstract ideas or scientific or technological developments as using line graphs for continuous investigation  Draw valid conclusions that
models variables  Repeat sets of observations or utilise more than one piece of
 Link applications of science or
 Recognise scientific questions technology to their underpinning  Use appropriate scientific and measurements where supporting evidence, including
that do not yet have definitive scientific ideas mathematical conventions and appropriate, selecting suitable numerical data and line graphs
answers terminology to communicate abstract ranges and intervals  Evaluate the effectiveness of
 Identify the use of evidence and ideas  Make, and act on, suggestions their working methods, making
creative thinking by scientists in  Suggest how collaborative approaches to control obvious risks to practical suggestions for
the development of scientific to specific experiments or investigations themselves and others improving them
ideas may improve the evidence collected
L Across a range of contexts and Across a range of contexts and practical Across a range of contexts and practical Across a range of contexts and Across a range of contexts and
4 practical situations pupils: situations pupils: situations pupils: practical situations pupils: practical situations pupils:
 Use scientific ideas when  Describe some simple positive and  Select appropriate ways of presenting  Decide when it is appropriate to  Identify patterns in data
describing simple processes or negative consequences of scientific and scientific data carry out fair tests in presented in various formats,
phenomena technological developments  Use appropriate scientific forms of investigations including line graphs
 Use simple models to describe  Recognise applications of specific language to communicate scientific  Select appropriate equipment or  Draw straightforward
scientific ideas scientific ideas ideas, processes or phenomena information sources to address conclusions from data
 Identify scientific evidence that is  Identify aspects of science used within  Use scientific and mathematical specific questions or ideas presented in various formats
being used to support or refute particular jobs or roles conventions when communicating under investigation  Identify scientific evidence they
ideas or arguments information or ideas  Make sets of observations or have used in drawing
measurements, identifying the conclusions
ranges and intervals used  Suggest improvements to their
 Identify possible risks to working methods, giving
themselves and others reasons
BL
IE
Overall assessment (tick one box only) Low 4 Secure 4  High 4 Low 5 Secure 5 High 5
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