A guide to Science home education: resources, advice and support

Science can be one of the most rewarding subjects to explore through home education, and one of the most varied.

From the biology of living things and the chemistry of everyday materials to the physics of forces and motion, Science spans a wider range of ideas than almost any other subject in the curriculum. It's also one where curiosity and hands-on exploration can thrive outside a classroom setting, given the right resources and structure.

This guide covers how to approach studying Science at home from Year 5 through to Year 9, including free resources and guidance on where live, expert teaching can make a massive difference. Note, when GCSEs start in Year 10, for most students Science splits into three separate subjects, we cover that in more detail at the end of the article.

Finally, for more on the home education journey more broadly, our guides to getting started with home education, teaching Maths at home, and English home education cover the other core subjects in the same detail.

Key Stage 2 Science (Years 5 and 6, ages 9 to 11)

Key Stage 2 (KS2) Science covers a broad range of topics across the three disciplines: Biology, Chemistry and Physics, but united under the single subject umbrella ‘Science’.

For Biology, students explore living things and their habitats, animals including humans, plants, and evolution. For Chemistry, they study materials, their properties and changes. And, for Physics, forces, light, electricity, and Earth and space are all introduced.

Home education at KS2 Science has a natural advantage: practical experiments that might require complex logistics in a classroom of 30 can be done simply and safely at home, or out and about. For example, growing plants or observing local wildlife are both key parts of a child’s scientific education.

To help you get started here are some free resources:

• BBC Bitesize KS2 Science - includes a wide-variety of free, curriculum-aligned topic-by-topic resources, interactive quizzes and video explanations

• Oak National Academy KS2 Science - offer a collection of downloadable worksheets, slides and assessments aligned to the KS2 Science curriculum 

• Science Museum Group Learning - lots of ideas for Science activities you can do at home, plus videos, discussion questions, and practical experiment guides

Then, if you would like some dedicated, expert support, we offer Year 5 and Year 6 courses which cover the full KS2 curriculum. Each course includes two hours of live lessons per week - delivered by subject specialist-teachers, including Lajoy Tucker, Brook Edgar and Emma Williams - plus bespoke workbooks and practice questions. In short, everything they need to prepare them for the Year 6 SATs.

Key Stage 3 Science (Years 7, 8 and 9, ages 11 to 14)

At Key Stage 3 (KS3) the depth and complexity of the scientific content increases. Biology moves into cells, reproduction, ecology and genetics. Chemistry covers the periodic table, reactions, acids and alkalis, and separating mixtures. While Physics addresses energy, forces, waves, electricity, and magnetism. By the end of Year 9, students are encountering ideas that form the foundations of what they’ll cover at GCSE, while also encouraging them to develop their ability to think scientifically. 

For home educated students, KS3 Science is the stage where the integrated nature of the subject can be a strength. Without the pressure of strict timetabling, there is space to make connections across the disciplines, exploring how the chemistry of photosynthesis links to the biology of plants, for example, or how physical forces relate to the engineering of structures.

To help, here are some sources of free KS3 Science materials:

• BBC Bitesize KS3 Science - a compendium of videos and practice questions, ordered on a topic-by-topic basis across Biology, Chemistry and Physics

• STEM Learning remote lessons for KS3 - a range of free remotely delivered lessons for students aged 11 to 14, covering core Science and STEM content

• Science Museum Group Learning - a variety of free activities and experiments you can do at home, plus a videos series covering KS3 topics

As with KS2, you don’t have to cover the full KS3 Science curriculum alone, and expert support is available throughout Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9. 

In two live lessons per week, our expert science teachers, Hannah Shuter (@HannahDoesPhysics), Manny Opoku (@MannyDoesChemistry) and Dario Papavassilou are on-hand to take children through the full KS3 curriculum, and prepare them for the step-up into GCSE Science.

From KS3 to GCSE: when Science becomes three subjects

One of the most significant transitions in Science education comes at the end of Year 9, when integrated Science splits into three separate GCSE subjects: Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

For home educated students, this means choosing between Combined Science (two GCSEs covering all three disciplines) and Triple Science (three separate GCSEs, one per subject). Combined Science produces two GCSEs from an averaged result across Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Triple Science produces three separate GCSEs, with an individual grade for each subject.

At GCSE level, we offer dedicated live courses in all three sciences, taught by subject specialists with examiner experience and aligned to the AQA specification.

Year 10 Biology is taught by Joe Wolfensohn (@JoeDoesBiology), who has over 6 years of experience and a 1st class in Biochemistry.

Year 10 Chemistry is taught by Lajoy Tucker (@LajoyDoesChemistry), who also boasts over 6 years experience, earned his BSc in Chemistry from Imperial College London before going on to achieve a Master's in STEM Education from King's College London in 2026.

Year 10 Physics is taught by Hannah Shuter (@HannahDoesPhysics), who has over 7 years teaching experience, earned 1st Class Honours from Imperial College London, and a PhD in Physics from Warwick University.

Free revision resources for all three GCSE Sciences (aligned to AQA) are available on MyResources, covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics, including detailed revision notes, short explainer videos, practice questions, model answers, and exam skills guidance.

Try before you buy

Choosing the right online learning platform depends on your needs, budget, and learning style.

Whether you are looking for structured academic courses, hands-on skill development, or flexible self-paced learning, there is a platform that fits your goals. By considering key factors like course variety, pricing, and teaching style, you can find the best option to support your education and career growth.

Take the time to explore different platforms and make the most of trials, like our own £10 for 10-days offer, to help you choose the one that aligns best with your learning journey.

And, most importantly of all, whatever and wherever you choose to study, enjoy it.