ABOUT THE SCIENCE ATTAINMENT TARGETS AND LEVEL DESCRIPTIONS

The attainment targets in science set out the knowledge, skills and understanding that pupils of different abilities and maturities are expected to have by the end of each key stage. Attainment targets consist of eight level descriptions of increasing difficulty, plus a description of exceptional performance above level 8. Each level description describes the type and range of performance that pupils working at that level should characteristically demonstrate.

The level descriptions provide the basis for making judgements about pupils' performance at the end of key stages 1, 2 and 3. The majority of pupils are expected to work at:

• levels 1-3 in key stage 1 and attain level 2 at the end of the key stage
• levels 2-5 in key stage 2 and attain level 4 at the end of the key stage
• levels 3-7 in key stage 3 and attain level 5/6 at the end of the key stage.

By indicating expectations at particular levels and progression in the subjects, the level descriptions can also inform planning, teaching and assessment.

Please note, level descriptions are not designed to be used to 'level' individual pieces of work.