Evolution is the process of natural selection acting on variation within a population over generations that can lead to new adaptations.

The statutory guide for the National Curriculum states that Year 6 students should understand that variation in offspring over time can make animals more or less able to survive in particular environments.
We have made some great videos to explain how natural selection acts on variation within a population leading to evolution over generations on our Evolution and Natural Selection page

Note: Children are not required to understand genetics i.e. how genes and chromosomes work and its role in evolution. They do however need to understand that living things produce offspring that are similar but not identical to their parents, inheritance – i.e. your siblings look different to each other and you also look different to your parents!