Teacher Assessment in Primary Science (TAPS)
Developing guidance and resources to support teachers and schools
Click on the blue tabs below to find the TAPS Focused Assessment plans and work samples, which provide a starting point for teaching and assessment. The pyramid model encapsulates the ‘formative to summative’ principles behind TAPS, and can be used as a source of examples, as well as a supportive structure for school self-evaluation.
A wide range of new resources and TAPS pyramid examples
are in development. Please sign up here
to request access to the new draft resources. Feedback and comments are also
welcome at primary.science@bathspa.ac.uk .
TAPS Overview
TAPs Overview
The Teacher Assessment in Primary Science (TAPS) project is based at Bath Spa University and funded by the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT). TAPS aims to develop support for a valid, reliable and manageable system of primary school science assessment which will have a positive impact on children’s learning.
The TAPS pyramid tool provides a structure to help schools evaluate and develop their assessment processes. The rich formative assessment information collected by teachers in the course of ongoing classroom work is also utilised for summative purposes – the orange arrow represents information flowing up the pyramid. Schools should begin with a focus on the ‘Pupil layer’ and the ‘Teacher layer’ at the base of the pyramid. These foundations encapsulate the principles of Assessment for Learning and this is where changes will have the most impact on pupil progress in Primary Science.
The pyramid website is designed to be a supportive source of examples – by clicking on each box you will be taken to examples from a range of schools. It can also provide a structure to support school self-evaluation.
If you would like to offer further examples, or provide the TAPS team with feedback, please email: primary.science@bathspa.ac.uk.
Keep up-to-date with TAPS developments on Twitter by following @PriSciEarle.
Further videos are available on the TAPS playlist
Focused Assessment Overview
Focused Assessment
Download TAPS Focused Assessment booklet
Download overview of plans in database
WHAT IS FOCUSED ASSESSMENT?
The TAPS focused assessment approach embeds assessment within classroom primary science activities. There are two kinds of resource in this database. There are plans that have a particular focus on the assessment of working scientifically, such as close observation within a topic context. There are also focused assessment examples of children’s learning for particular science concepts e.g. how the earth orbits the sun. It is a tool for both assessment for learning (formative assessment) and summative assessment.
The elements of working scientifically were chosen according to the natural emphasis of the topic and activity. During the lesson children may well be involved in other aspects of scientific enquiry that are not the focus. For example: if the focus is on interpreting data, the children may also have discussed how to carry out the enquiry and used their measuring skills to collect data. Any recording of children’s learning is around the focused element.
Why use focused assessment?
A focused assessment increases the validity of teacher judgments. Assessment indicators provide suggestions about what the children might do or say to demonstrate their understanding or knowledge in the context of real classroom activities. This clear focus on an element of science reduces the possible impact of preconceptions about individual children or their skills in other areas, such as writing. Over time, the full range of children’s science enquiry skills and understanding of science can be considered in depth.
Taking one focus at a time means that assessing science, including practical work, becomes more manageable with a whole class. Many teachers find that annotating plans or just noting those who have 'not yet met the objective' is sufficient for record-keeping.
They have been developed and trialled by schools so teachers can feel secure that their judgements are consistent with those of other teachers. In other words, they are reliable.
Specific areas for children’s development can be identified and subsequent teaching can take this into account; the assessment is formative. These focused assessments can also contribute to an ongoing summative record of children's attainment in scientific enquiry instead of relying on end of term testing.
When to use the focused assessments
Ideally, focused assessment should occur about two thirds of the way through a topic - far enough that the children have had the opportunity to develop their understanding and skills, but allowing sufficient time to act on the assessment information.
How to use the focused assessments
Using this approach to assessment will allow teachers to focus on learning across the full range of working scientifically elements; plan, do, review. This helps to ensure that all aspects are considered - not just fair testing! There is an overview grid to support whole school planning that can be downloaded.
We strongly recommend that you amend any plan to suit your own class and circumstances (you can download it as a Word document).
Blank proformas have also been provided should you wish to create your own focused assessment plans or examples. Please feel free to use the ideas in new ways to suit your school.
We are continuing to build the database so if you do create a new focused assessment or example, please do share it by sending it to primary.science@bathspa.ac.uk.
Further videos are available on the TAPS playlist
Focused Assessment Plans
these lesson plans provide support for selecting one skills focus within the context of a whole enquiry.
Rec (P1) and Nursery
docx
R Plan Sci-DT - Incy Shelter [246.41kB]
docx
R Plan Materials - Frozen Balloons [389.71kB]
docx
P1-2 Brown apples [206.83kB]
docx
P1-2 Taste test [213.86kB]
docx
P1-2 Butter [356.46kB]
docx
P1-2 Scavenger sort [622.91kB]
zip
All Reception (P1) TAPS plans [1.70MB]
docx
R WELSHplan - Prawf lloches [248.66kB]
docx
R WELSHplan - Balwnau wedi rhewi [392.10kB]
docx
P1 Forensic footprints [158.49kB]
docx
P1 Scooping sounds [121.16kB]
docx
P1 Toy forces [221.31kB]
docx
R-Y1 Bubble snake [492.64kB]
docx
R-Y1 Mixing materials [960.76kB]
docx
R-Y1 Senses walk [281.70kB]
Y1 (P2)
docx
Y1 Seasonal change [2.46MB]
docx
Y1 Plan Sci-DT - Bridge Testers [240.99kB]
docx
Y1 Plan Materials - Transparency [135.06kB]
docx
Y1 Body parts [238.11kB]
docx
Y1 Animal classification [238.74kB]
docx
Y1 Float and sink [2.07MB]
docx
Y1 Reflectiveness [341.09kB]
docx
Y1 Plan Plants - Leaf Look [220.56kB]
docx
Y1 Plant structure [766.85kB]
docx
P1-2 Shades of colour [655.62kB]
docx
P1-2 Teddy zipline [263.50kB]
zip
All Y1 (P2) TAPS plans [7.39MB]
docx
Y1 WELSHplan - Profi pontydd [242.77kB]
docx
Y1 WELSHplan - Deall dail [222.17kB]
docx
P2 Dunlop balls [156.17kB]
docx
Y1-2 Surprise materials [522.49kB]
Y2 (P3)
docx
Y2 Handspans [209.37kB]
docx
Materials hunt [196.09kB]
docx
Y2 Plan Living and nonliving [485.96kB]
docx
Y2 Nature spotters [290.87kB]
docx
Y2 Woodlice habitat [492.89kB]
docx
Y2 Rocket mice [274.01kB]
docx
Y2 Waterproof [240.13kB]
docx
Y2 Plan Sci-DT - Boat Materials [516.49kB]
docx
Y2 Plant Growth [167.76kB]
docx
P3-4 Ice Escape [162.50kB]
docx
P3-4 Daisy footprints [319.94kB]
docx
P3-4 Separating colours [724.11kB]
zip
All Y2 (P3) TAPS plans [3.88MB]
docx
Y2 WELSHplan - Llygod roced [299.27kB]
docx
Y2 WELSHplan - Creu cwch [517.11kB]
docx
P3 Drops on a coin [272.79kB]
docx
Y2 Feeding simulation [170.43kB]
docx
Y1-2 Animal home build [274.87kB]
docx
Y1-2 Muffling sound [250.35kB]
Y3 (P4)
docx
Y3 Skeleton Qs [226.52kB]
docx
Y3 Car ramps [366.83kB]
docx
Y3 Shoe grip [351.95kB]
docx
Y3 Plan Sci-DT - Egg Packaging [251.82kB]
docx
Y3 Magnet tests [270.07kB]
docx
Y3 Make shadows [319.25kB]
docx
Y3 Measuring plants [131.28kB]
docx
Y3 Function of stem [214.30kB]
docx
Y3 Balloon rocket [108.55kB]
docx
Y3 Rock Reports [354.61kB]
docx
P3-4 Eco action [416.46kB]
docx
P3-4 Cupcake parachutes [182.44kB]
docx
P3-4 Ice cream [212.81kB]
zip
All Y3 (P4) TAPS plans [3.20MB]
docx
Y3 WELSHplan - Pecyn gollwng wy [254.49kB]
docx
P4 Forensic fingerprints [272.80kB]
docx
P4 Macintosh waterproofing [415.32kB]
docx
P4 Wind power vehicles [338.21kB]
docx
Y3 Close obs of plants [325.94kB]
docx
Y3-4 Litter pick Qs [0.96MB]
Y4 (P5)
docx
Y4 Teeth in liquid [260.58kB]
docx
Y4 Electrical conductors [116.21kB]
docx
Y4 Local survey [426.43kB]
docx
Y4 Drying [277.91kB]
docx
Y4 Plan Materials - Dunking Biscuits [241.93kB]
docx
Y4 Measuring temp [187.51kB]
docx
Y4 Pitch [1.25MB]
docx
Y4 String phones [98.48kB]
docx
Y4 Plan Sci-DT - Circuit Products [1.75MB]
docx
P5-6 Cornflour slime [503.14kB]
zip
All Y4 (P5) TAPS plans [3.93MB]
docx
Y4 WELSHplan - Dowcio bisgedi [242.26kB]
docx
Y4 WELSHplan - Ffonau llinyn [240.63kB]
docx
Y4 WELSHplan - Cynhyrchion cylched [1.44MB]
docx
P5 Digestion modelling [223.57kB]
docx
Y3-4 Microfibres [164.47kB]
Y5 (P6)
docx
Y5 Growth survey [212.54kB]
docx
Y5 Aquadynamics [159.57kB]
docx
Y5 Spinners [86.88kB]
docx
Y5 Life cycles [149.44kB]
docx
Y5 Champion tapes [86.68kB]
docx
Y5 Dissolving [348.41kB]
docx
Y5 Insulation layers [169.89kB]
docx
Y5 Plan Solar system [829.71kB]
docx
Y5 Plan SCi-DT - Paper Planes [196.21kB]
docx
Y5 Nappies [344.27kB]
docx
Y5 Plan Sci-DT - Marble Run [768.40kB]
docx
Y5 Sugar cubes [344.27kB]
docx
Y5 Space craters [171.35kB]
docx
P5-6 Zipline testing [315.04kB]
docx
P5-6 Bottle flip [298.28kB]
zip
All Y5 (P6) TAPS plans [4.22MB]
docx
Y5 WELSHplan - Awyrennau papur [196.12kB]
docx
Y5 WELSHplan - Ciwbiau siwgr [398.06kB]
docx
Y5 WELSHplan - Rhedfa farblis [771.54kB]
docx
P6 Dirty water filter [836.25kB]
docx
P6 Forensic powders [154.63kB]
docx
Y5 Seed dispersal survey [281.44kB]
docx
Y5 Space travel Qs [105.09kB]
docx
Y5-6 Jump patterns [181.10kB]
Y6 (P7)
docx
Y6 Plan Light Questions [178.86kB]
docx
Y6 Heartrate pose [175.28kB]
docx
Y6 Bulb brightness [880.87kB]
docx
Y6 Egg strength [909.18kB]
docx
Y6 Fossil habitats [214.10kB]
docx
Y6 Plan Sci-DT - Bridge Engineers [468.23kB]
docx
Y6 Investigating shadows [255.37kB]
docx
Y6 Invertebrate research [1.27MB]
docx
Y6 Plan Electricity - Conductive Dough [1.73MB]
docx
Y6 Outdoor keys [229.57kB]
docx
P6-7 Titanic Pulleys [321.49kB]
docx
P6-7 Terrific tasters [135.17kB]
zip
All Y6 (P7) TAPS plans [5.34MB]
docx
Y6 Welsh plan - Toes trydan [1.73MB]
docx
Y6 WELSHplan - Peirianwyr pontydd [471.00kB]
docx
P7 Bird beaks [160.30kB]
docx
P7 O wing [185.07kB]
docx
Y6 Flower sampling [266.95kB]
docx
Y6 Camouflaged moths [186.35kB]
docx
Y5-6 Pollution survey [299.47kB]
Transition
docx
Y6-7 Blood splatter [92.16kB]
docx
Y6-7 Lolly stick catapults [492.73kB]
docx
Y6-7 Cleaning Coins [163.55kB]
docx
Y6-7 Reaction catches [105.54kB]
docx
Y6-7 Yeast [265.57kB]
docx
Y6-7 Formula 1 tubs [338.17kB]
TAPS TRANSITION BOOKLET [744.96kB]
zip
All Y6-7 (P7-8) TAPS plans [1.40MB]
Focused Assessment Examples
These work samples provide examples of different ways schools could record science.
Rec (P1) and Nursery
Nurs - Balls down ramps learning story example [235.58kB]
Nurs - Beetle learning story example [283.92kB]
Nurs - Bicarb colour mix learning story example [303.99kB]
Nurs - Bird watch learning story example [289.67kB]
Nurs - Cupcase dropping learning story example [263.31kB]
Nurs - Drop in water learning story example [228.55kB]
Nurs - Forest school learning story example [318.21kB]
Nurs - Growing flowers learning story example [339.50kB]
Nurs - Herb crushing learning story example [200.24kB]
Nurs - Loose parts learning story example [239.33kB]
Nurs - Observing tadpoles learning story example [306.18kB]
Nurs - Puddle water wheel learning story example [285.91kB]
Nurs - Rainy day learning story example [316.88kB]
Nurs - Rocket mice learning story - Wales example [209.54kB]
Nurs - Sandcastles learning story example [262.90kB]
Nurs - Strawberry planting learning story example [348.70kB]
Nurs - Tip and pour learning story example [212.15kB]
Nurs - Tree planting learning story example [331.48kB]
Rec - Eggstonaut learning story example [325.47kB]
Rec - Float and sink learning story example [263.43kB]
Rec - Fossil obs learning story example [209.56kB]
Rec - Light box bugs learning story example [409.69kB]
Rec - Magnetic bottles learning story example [328.24kB]
Rec - Mud kitchen menu learning story example [325.82kB]
Rec - Obs biscuits in liq learning story example [204.54kB]
Rec - Owl pellet learning story example [253.27kB]
Rec - Pumpkin obs learning story example [198.36kB]
Rec - Winter ice learning story example [253.97kB]
Y1 (P2)
Y1 Materials Umbrella WS Plan example [145.15kB]
Y1 Plants Class book WS Do example [210.98kB]
Y1 Plants Drawing leaves WS Do example [93.20kB]
Y1 Plants Flower model example [142.03kB]
Y1 Materials For a boat WS Review example [112.78kB]
Y1 Animals Sorting WS Review example [162.67kB]
Y1 Materials Magnetic sorting WS Review example [171.46kB]
Y1 Materials Describing properties WS Do example [221.04kB]
Y1 Animals Group discussion example [220.46kB]
Y1 Materials Sorting WS Review example [83.63kB]
Y1 Animals Body model WS Review example [88.66kB]
Y1 Materials Reflectiveness testing WS Do example [245.71kB]
Y1 Materials Umbrella results WS Do example [135.55kB]
P1-2 Scavenger sort eg [407.52kB]
P1-2 Shades of colour eg [280.54kB]
P1-2 Taste test eg [190.38kB]
Y1 Seasonal change tree [155.02kB]
Y1 Dig and label plants example [194.23kB]
Y2 (P3)
Y2 Living Sorting liv and nonliv example [345.42kB]
Y2 Plants Growth comic strip example [180.72kB]
Y2 Animals Order life cycles example [313.98kB]
Y2 Materials Building soundcloud WS Do example [238.71kB]
Y2 Materials Waterproof paper Plan example [86.95kB]
Y2 Materials Material hunters WS Review example [185.80kB]
Y2 Living Habitat survey WS Do example [81.56kB]
Y2 Materials Rocket mice expl WS Review example [246.36kB]
Y2 Animals Match offspring example [55.19kB]
Y2 Animals Exercise ideas WS Review example [56.27kB]
Y2 Plants Observing seeds grow WS Do example [110.57kB]
P3 Cupcake parachutes eg [218.52kB]
P3 Ice observations eg [239.25kB]
P3-4 Waterproof eg [84.38kB]
Y2 Boat expln example [261.26kB]
Y2 Handspan conc example [98.76kB]
Y2 Woodlice tally eg [170.13kB]
Y3 (P4)
Y3 Plants Seed dispersal example [138.22kB]
Y3 Plants Slow reveal WS Do example [156.68kB]
Y3 Rocks Expl fossil formation WS Review example [108.56kB]
Y3 Rocks water test WS Review example [114.18kB]
Y3 Rocks Rock scratching WS Do example [140.87kB]
Y3 Plants Labelling and Q raising WS Plan example [159.65kB]
Y3 Animals Draw inside fish WS Do example [80.98kB]
Y3 Animals Skeleton research WS Plan example [86.04kB]
Y3 Forces Magnet results table WS Do example [97.93kB]
Y3 Plants Draw flowering plant example [71.11kB]
Y3 Forces Set up ramp investn WS Plan example [207.78kB]
Y3 Light Shadow investn WS Review example [76.55kB]
Y3 Light Explanation example [95.59kB]
Y3 Forces Shoe pull concln WS Review example [57.26kB]
Y3 Animals Skeleton explanations example [154.38kB]
Y3 Forces Car track conc WS Review example [177.53kB]
Y3 Forces Car graph WS Do example [105.67kB]
P4 Exploring sound eg [163.02kB]
P4 Light sorting eg [125.09kB]
P4 Materials hunt eg [155.38kB]
Y4 (P5)
Y4 Materials Drying WS Plan example [183.69kB]
Y4 Sound String telephone WS Review example [52.15kB]
Y4 Materials Ice cubes WS Plan example [69.58kB]
Y4 Materials Melting concln WS Review example [153.25kB]
Y4 Animals Teeth news rep WS Review example [165.33kB]
Y4 Animals Digestion diagrams [200.83kB]
Y4 Electricity Purposeful switches WS Review example [64.40kB]
Y4 Living Leaf key WS Do example [100.45kB]
Y4 Living Animal top trumps example [282.73kB]
Y4 Animals Teeth concln WS Review example [200.71kB]
Y4 Living Animal Keys WS Do example [192.08kB]
Y4 Electricity Conductors WS Review example [81.90kB]
P5 Handspan conclusion eg [131.23kB]
Y4 Biscuit dunk results [162.70kB]
Y4 Conductor or insulator example [152.28kB]
Y4 Local survey sorting example [172.25kB]
Y4 String phone conc example [134.81kB]
Y5 (P6)
Y5 Animals Human dev Qs example [238.11kB]
Y5 Living Different life cycles example [258.05kB]
Y5 Materials Qs after dissolving WS Plan example [143.68kB]
Y5 Materials Exit cards for separating example [268.48kB]
Y5 Materials Nappies investn WS Review example [114.18kB]
Y5 Materials Paper absorbency meast WS Do example [73.40kB]
Y5 Space Orbit expln example [200.41kB]
Y5 Forces Parachute car WS Plan example [98.95kB]
Y5 Materials Change of state cartoon example [127.82kB]
Y5 Living Life cycle acting example [52.38kB]
Y5 Forces Spinners table WS Do example [143.28kB]
Y5 Forces Aquadynamics designs WS Plan example [89.05kB]
P6 Bottle flip eg [242.38kB]
Y5 Crater results example [413.87kB]
Y5 Sugar results example [297.80kB]
Y5 Aquadynamics conc example [154.97kB]
Y6 (P7)
Y6 Light shadow investn diagram WS Plan example [87.33kB]
Y6 Light Shadow investn table WS Do example [95.82kB]
Y6 Living Making keys WS Do example [195.06kB]
Y6 Light thought showers example [115.23kB]
Y6 Animals Heartrate headstands WS Review example [162.02kB]
Y6 Evolution g strength WS Review example [117.52kB]
Y6 Evolution Adaptation labelling example [169.40kB]
Y6 Electricity Own circuit investns WS Plan example [323.10kB]
Y6 Evolution Own adapted animal example [80.05kB]
Y6 Electricity changing circuits WS Do example [132.58kB]
Y6 Animals Reaction catches WS Do example [214.29kB]
Transition
TAPS Files
TAPS England
Pyramid Tool [4.56MB]
Black and White Pyramid for Photocopying [82.93kB]
TAPS TRANSITION BOOKLET [744.96kB]
TAPS Working Scientifically Wheel [103.19kB]
TAPS Focused Assessment booklet [2.56MB]
TAPS pyramid booklet (2020) [714.61kB]
mp4
TAPS Website Walkthrough [6.59MB]
TAPS Early Years Science [495.86kB]
TAPS Cymru
TAPS Cymru bklet in Welsh [534.40kB]
TAPS Cymru bklet in English [922.60kB]
Cymru pyramid pdf in English [4.63MB]
Cymru pyramid pdf in Welsh [4.64MB]
TAPS Cymru video links [839.76kB]
TAPS Cymru plans for progression in sci skills [584.49kB]
TAPS Northern Ireland
TAPS Northern Ireland Booklet [1.81MB]
TAPS NI Skills Flower [138.41kB]
TAPS NI plans for sci skills in the WAU [704.86kB]
TAPS Scotland
TAPS Scotland booklet [2.00MB]
TAPS Scotland Progression Grid [204.74kB]
TAPS Scotland Skills Flag [235.80kB]
TAPS Publications
TEACHER SUMMARY OF APPROACHES IN ENGLISH PRIMARY SCHOOLS [1.08MB]
FULL REPORT OF APPROACHES IN ENGLISH PRIMARY SCHOOLS [2.60MB]
TAPS NI article in Journal of Emergent Science [292.30kB]
Primary Science TAPS special issue [2.94MB]
Moderation for professional learning article [1.35MB]
TEACHER SUMMARY OF APPROACHES IN ENGLISH PRIMARY SCHOOLS [1.08MB]
TAPS primary science enquiry outdoors [442.12kB]
TAPS Early Years Science [495.86KB]
Safety Notice and Disclaimer
The PSTT advises teachers to refer to either the CLEAPSS website or SSERC website for up to date health and safety information when planning practical activities for children.
The PSTT is not liable for the actions or activities of any reader or anyone else who uses the information in these resource pages or the associated classroom materials. The PSTT assumes no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information contained in these resources. The PSTT recommends that a full risk assessment is carried out before undertaking in the classroom any of the practical investigations contained in the resources.
All materials are ©Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT) and are freely available to download and share for educational purposes. Whilst educators are free to adapt the resources to suit their own needs, acknowledgement of copyright on all original materials must be included. Rights to images included in the resource have been purchased for PSTT use only – as such, these images may only be used as part of this resource and may not copied into or used in other materials.