Pearson International Primary Science
Curriculum: British | Ages: 5-11 years
Launch your learners' journey of scientific discovery
Specifically designed for international learners of 5-11 years of age, our new interactive Pearson International Primary Science course keeps budding scientists engaged as they move through Primary to Lower Secondary and International GCSE.
See why schools rate Pearson International Primary Science so highly by reading our case studies.
Download your bumper pack of free resources
Kick start the new year with a fantastic collection of free teaching and learning resources! Discover how Pearson International Primary Science helps you launch your learners' journey of scientific discovery and get your entire class excited about science.
Is it for me?
At age 6, nearly one third of children say science is their favourite subject. By the time they’re 10, it’s only 1 in 10. We wanted to change that.
So, to help you launch your children’s journey of scientific discovery and get them closer to a subject that opens doors to many career opportunities, we’ve created Pearson International Primary Science, a new science programme for 5-11 learners in schools around the world.
- Enquiry-led learning: the course champions a range of investigative approaches, nurturing curious learners of all backgrounds with a host of real-world examples.
- Visual, interactive content: virtual labs, animated topic videos, interactive quizzes and beautifully illustrated mascot guides make every lesson into a new journey of discovery.
- Accessible: there is just one workbook and one textbook, freeing up learners' minds to explore the wonders of science and teachers’ time to inspire them.
- Teacher support: whether you're a confident science teacher or just starting out, our resources are your trusted companions, from adaptable lesson plans to comprehensive professional development tools.
- Written around our iPrimary Curriculum and closely aligned with the skills of the English National Curriculum.
Pricing and ISBNs
Have a look at our infographic to see what's available from Pearson International Primary Science, pricing and how to buy.
| Student Books | Description | ISBN | Price |
| Student Book Year 1 | Print product - textbook | 9781292433424 | £21.00 |
| Student Book Year 2 | Print product - textbook | 9781292433318 | £21.00 |
| Student Book Year 3 | Print product - textbook | 9781292433325 | £21.00 |
| Student Book Year 4 | Print product - textbook | 9781292433417 | £21.00 |
| Student Book Year 5 | Print product - textbook | 9781292433301 | £21.00 |
| Student Book Year 6 | Print product - textbook | 9781292433271 | £21.00 |
| Workbooks | Description | ISBN | Price |
| Workbook Year 1 | Print product - workbook | 9781292433288 | £10.50 |
| Workbook Year 2 | Print product - workbook | 9781292433295 | £10.50 |
| Workbook Year 3 | Print product - workbook | 9781292433257 | £10.50 |
| Workbook Year 4 | Print product - workbook | 9781292433264 | £10.50 |
| Workbook Year 5 | Print product - workbook | 9781292433394 | £10.50 |
| Workbook Year 6 | Print product - workbook | 9781292433400 | £10.50 |
Digital Subscriptions - Teacher
| Digital Subscriptions - Teacher | Description | ISBN | Price |
| KS1 Teacher Subscription | Digital Product - 1 Year Subscription Teacher Content (including lesson planning, resource sheets and our virtual lab teaching tools) | 9781292729251 | £262.50 |
| LKS2 Teacher Subscription | Digital Product - 1 Year Subscription Teacher Content (including lesson planning, resource sheets and our virtual lab teaching tools) | 9781292729244 | £262.50 |
| UKS2 Teacher Subscription | Digital Product - 1 Year Subscription Teacher Content (including lesson planning, resource sheets and our virtual lab teaching tools) |
978129246104 5 | £262.50 |
Digital Subscriptions - Student Books and Workbooks
| Student Books and Workbooks | Description | ISBN | Price |
| KS1 Student Books and Workbooks Cat A Digital Product | Digital Product - 1 Year Subscription Pupil Resource | 9781292460529 | £315.00 |
| KS1 Student Books and Workbooks Cat B Digital Product | Digital Product - 1 Year Subscription Pupil Resource | 9781292460581 | £630.00 |
| KS1 Student Books and Workbooks Cat C Digital Product | Digital Product - 1 Year Subscription Pupil Resource | 9781292460697 | £1,260.00 |
| KS1 Student Books and Workbooks Cat D Digital Product | Digital Product - 1 Year Subscription Pupil Resource | 9781292728612 | £2,362.50 |
| KS1 Student Books and Workbooks Cat E Digital Product | Digital Product - 1 Year Subscription Pupil Resource | 9781292728599 | £3,150.00 |
| LKS2 Student Books and Workbooks Cat A Digital Product | Digital Product - 1 Year Subscription Pupil Resource | 9781292460383 | £315.00 |
| LKS2 Student Books and Workbooks Cat B Digital Product | Digital Product - 1 Year Subscription Pupil Resource | 9781292728711 | £630.00 |
| LKS2 Student Books and Workbooks Cat C Digital Product | Digital Product - 1 Year Subscription Pupil Resource | 9781292728704 | £1,260.00 |
| LKS2 Student Books and Workbooks Cat D Digital Product | Digital Product - 1 Year Subscription Pupil Resource | 9781292460536 | £2,362.50 |
| LKS2 Student Books and Workbooks Cat E Digital Product | Digital Product - 1 Year Subscription Pupil Resource | 9781292728810 | £3,150.00 |
| UKS2 Student Books and Workbooks Cat A Digital Product | Digital Product - 1 Year Subscription Pupil Resource | 9781292460611 | £315.00 |
| UKS2 Student Books and Workbooks Cat B Digital Product | Digital Product - 1 Year Subscription Pupil Resource | 9781292460390 | £630.00 |
| UKS2 Student Books and Workbooks Cat C Digital Product | Digital Product - 1 Year Subscription Pupil Resource | 9781292728698 | £1,260.00 |
| UKS2 Student Books and Workbooks Cat D Digital Product | Digital Product - 1 Year Subscription Pupil Resource | 9781292460512 | £2,362.00 |
| UKS2 Student Books and Workbooks Cat E Digital Product | Digital Product - 1 Year Subscription Pupil Resource | 9781292460277 | £3,150.00 |
How to place an order
To place an order, please contact your local Pearson consultant
Try it out
Pearson International Primary Science Y2 Textbook Sample
Pearson International Primary Science Y1 Textbook Sample
Pearson International Primary Science Y5 Textbook Sample
Pearson International Primary Science Y5 Workbook Sample
Case studies
Igniting 5-11 learners' passion for scientific discovery!
Read the Letlotlo International School, Lesotho case study
Boosting science skills for learners aged 5-11
Read the New Millennium International School, Lesotho case study
Availability
How often is the Pearson curriculum reviewed?
Pearson iPrimary follows a British curriculum, designed for explicit preparation to International GCSE. It will not be changed unless there is major change to the related International GCSE.
What is happening to Science Bug International?
Pearson International Primary Science was designed in response to customer feedback on Science Bug, as a replacement for it. Science Bug will remain available, though we recommend Pearson International Primary Science because it is directly matched to the Pearson Edexcel iPrimary Science curriculum, specifically written for international learners aged 5-11 years, updated and modern with interactive digital tools, and all in one textbook and one workbook. We also continue to reccomend Science Bug International for the English National Curriculum.
Structure & Approach
How many hours per week are needed to teach the curriculum?
Pearson International Primary Science is designed to take 1 hour per week, but that can be shortened or lengthened, as necessary. Ideas for this are in the lesson plans.
The curriculum is arranged by topics rather than terms because we know schools have different term structures, and because different parts of the world cover different topics at different times (e.g. growing seasons, light and dark). This way the school and the teacher can decide what order to teach the topics in, and we indicate where pre-teaching and prerequisites are required.
Does it take a mastery approach?
No, we take a spiral approach, revisiting key topics and themes in more depth and complexity each year (as we are focussed on building in preparation towards the themes at lower secondary and GCSE).
How many components are there?
There are six textbooks, six workbooks, corresponding eBooks, and a digital teacher subscription.
How far does Pearson International Primary Science follow the UK curriculum?
Pearson International Primary Science is aligned to the skills of the English National Curriculum (ENC). It follows the objectives of the ENC as long as they are culturally appropriate and covers many of the same topics.
What makes Pearson International Primary Science enquiry based?
The core components of an enquiry-based or investigative approach are embedded throughout the resources. The skills of making observations, asking a scientific question, forming a prediction/hypothesis, testing this hypothesis, analysing results and drawing conclusions, presenting results and interpreting data and patterns are all embedded within the resources to ensure students develop an inquisitive mindset. We explore things like what makes a valid scientific question, and what makes a fair test, with the aim that students will be able to ask their own scientific questions and independently lead investigations to test their hypotheses.
How is Pearson International Primary Science structured and what are the components?
Take a look at this ‘What’s Available’ components chart to see at a glance what is available.
Progression & iPrimary
How does Pearson International Primary Science link with iPrimary?
Pearson International Primary Science is the recommended science course for iPrimary. iPrimary subscribers have access to Pearson International Primary Science lesson planning. The student textbooks, workbooks, and digital subscriptions are available to purchase separately.
Have the iPrimary scheme of work objectives changed?
No, the iPrimary scheme of work hasn’t changed. Pearson International Primary Science is specifically created for iPrimary so it’s a much better fit if you’re preparing for that test.
Is the content reliable and informative enough to use as a foundation for iGCSE Science?
Yes. The Pearson International Primary Science curriculum is based on six years of progression from ages 5 to 11, which leads on to our international lower secondary curriculum for ages 11 to 14, followed by International GCSE. It is part of the suite of resources from the Pearson Edexcel iProgress family, building explicit progression towards international GCSE.
Support for teachers
What guidance is there for teachers?
We have the full year 1-6 set of lesson planning, which provides a detailed breakdown of how you can structure each lesson. It provides context and common misconceptions for the teacher before teaching begins so less experienced teachers can understand more about the topic ahead, as well as opportunities for support and extension.
The textbook, workbook and lesson plans are structured with the idea that students will be able to independently lead their own investigations, so it really equips them with the skills along the way, it is not reliant on teacher’s specialist knowledge to embed those skills.
What resources are provided to support hands-on activities?
Pearson International Primary Science has worksheets, lesson plans, student books, and workbooks. All the physical resources required for an experiment or an investigation are listed in the lesson plans for the school to resource. These are based on the traditional resource list that most schools have access to. There will be enhanced digital interactive experiments going live in September 2023 (demos available in July 2023), so schools that don’t have the resources to set up these investigations can carry them out online.
Can I write my own lesson plans?
Yes, absolutely! The provided lesson plans are for you to use in the best way you see fit. You can pick them up and go, or adapt them as best suits you and your students.
Pearson International Primary science has comprehensive workbooks (around 150 pages of content) that go with every single lesson. Previously, you may have found content like this on multiple different worksheets, but now it’s all in one place. There are also resource sheets included in the lesson plans, designed to help explain concepts in different ways, for you to present on the board or print out.
Teaching practice
How can I best deliver challenging content?
The lesson plans are structured to support the learning of complex concepts by breaking them down them into smaller more manageable chunks, and offering context and common misconceptions for teachers before they teach. Pearson International Primary Science has a range of digital content including videos, quizzes, eBooks, and virtual labs to engage and support students. In addition, the free companion Professional Development course will show you how to deliver great science lessons.
How can we deal with introverts in the lesson of one hour?
Pearson International Primary Science has been designed to spark curiosity and get everyone thinking and wondering about what's on the page, both through group discussions, pair discussions and individual work. Our lesson plans were reviewed by a STEM network of teachers to make sure they are inclusive, with different teaching ideas and as many exciting ways of engaging students as possible.
In addition, iPrimary schools have free days of Professional Development for Pearson International Primary Science which can be tailored to particular interests such as engaging introverts.
Revision & Assessment
Yes. There is a revision section in the year 6 textbook focusing on topics that might appear in the external Edexcel assessment (from years 3-6) including advice on how to revise and other tips for exams. The workbook questions are also in the exam style so that students become familiar with it. The topics match the curriculum topics directly so there is explicit preparation for the examination.
Are termly assessments on ActiveLearn Primary?
Termly and yearly assessments will be ready for teaching in September 2023, on ActiveLearn Primary.
The best practice is to have a clear and rigorous structure across the whole school. The iPrimary Science curriculum is a clear and rigorous structure, developed specifically for second language learners.
All our resources are built towards assessment, and training is based around this curriculum. We are confident in how it matches up for requirements of international schools and international learners, and how it's successfully prepares them for later, higher stakes assessment.
Learn more
How can I access free sample material?
Free samples, a ‘Free Slice’ (which includes 2 weeks of teaching and learning material, including lesson planning) can be found on our website.
Please see our Pricing & ISBNs page or take a look at our infographic to see what's available and for pricing.
Each country has pricing and discount rates in local currency. Contact your local representative for more information.
Who should I contact for more information?
Contact your local representative for more information.
Want to see more? Watch our informative videos
Pearson International Primary Science Virtual Lab Experiments
Get closer to real science with Pearson International Primary Science Virtual Lab Experiments designed to make science accessible to all young learners in a completely safe way
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