KS1 & KS2 science curriculum

This unit builds on pupils' prior learning from Simple electrical circuits, where they explored the basics of how electricity flows through components like wires, bulbs, and batteries. In Changing circuits, pupils will deepen their understanding by learning how adding switches or altering components can change the flow of electricity. This prepares them for the next unit, Series circuits, where they will explore how circuits are connected in series, and how this affects the distribution of electricity and the performance of the components.

1. Components and simple circuits
2. Circuit symbols and diagrams
3. Electrical discoveries and inventions (non-statutory)
4. Investigating voltage: plan
5. Investigating voltage: do and review
6. Variables in electric circuits: plan
7. Variables in electric circuits: do and review
8. Changing the volume of buzzers
9. The position of switches: open and closed
10. Choosing and using conductors and insulators (non-statutory)
11. How electrical insulators keep us safe (non-statutory)
12. Electrical careers
13. Electrical sensors: design (non-statutory)
14. Electrical sensors: make and review (non-statutory)
15. Debating the use of electric cars (non-statutory)
16. Sustainable sources of electricity (non-statutory)

• Identify common appliances that run on electricity
• Construct a simple series electrical circuit, identifying and naming its basic parts
• Identify whether or not a lamp will light in a simple series circuit, based on whether or not the lamp is part of a complete loop with a battery
• Recognise that a switch opens and closes a circuit and associate this with whether or not a lamp lights in a simple series circuit
• Recognise some common electrical conductors and insulators
• Associate metals with being good electrical conductors