KS2 Upper: Introduction to Vectors & Vector-borne diseases
Help your pupils discover what vector-borne diseases are and how they can be prevented. These flexible resources can be adapted to suit your class and delivered over one or more lessons. Following teacher feedback during development, the Key Stage 2 resource has been divided into Lower and Upper Key Stage 2 to support age-appropriate learning, with both included in the downloadable booklet.
For your lesson planning, we created a curriculum mapping document showing how the resources align with the statutory programme of study and relevant schemes of work.
These resources have been piloted in schools across England. Here's what Upper Key Stage 2 teachers had to say:
- “I really liked them. They were very clear, very straightforward, and even just a quick scan, I could see what the purpose of the lesson was. And I just liked the fact that there were photographs for me that really sold it, because I feel that's really important that children see the real thing as much as they can” Teacher, Norfolk
- "it was a really good lesson to deliver." Teacher, Staffordshire
- “My class really enjoyed it. They're very engaged, had lots of different questions.” Teacher, Gloucestershire
Scroll down to find out more and download the resources
Learning objectives
All students will:
- Define what a vector is and explain how mosquitoes and ticks spread diseases.
- Know the lifecycles of mosquitoes and ticks.
- Understand how climate, environment, and human actions affect disease spread locally and globally.
- Know ways to prevent vector-borne diseases at personal, community, and global levels.
Background Information
Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are illnesses caused by microbes such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are spread by living organisms known as vectors. Mosquitoes and ticks are among the most common vectors and can transmit diseases when they bite people or animals. Mosquitoes breed in areas with stagnant water, while ticks are commonly found in woodlands, grasslands, and some gardens. Although not all mosquitoes and ticks carry harmful microbes, some can spread diseases such as malaria, dengue, Lyme disease, and tick-borne encephalitis.
VBDs affect people and animals around the world, and their distribution can be influenced by factors such as climate, the environment, and human activities. Preventing these diseases focuses mainly on avoiding bites and reducing contact with vectors through simple measures such as using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, checking for ticks after outdoor activities, and removing mosquito breeding sites.
This lesson will encourage pupils to explore how environmental and human factors can influence the spread of disease, helping them understand their role in protecting health at personal, community, and global levels.
Activities
Main activity:- Vector-borne disease trends
- Debate
- Campaign poster
Curriculum links
Science:
- Year 5: Animals, including humans (Understanding how disease affects people differently at different ages).
- Year 5: Living things and their habitats (Comparing lifecycles of insects; applying this to disease prevention).
- Year 6: Animals, including humans (Linking disease to the circulatory system).
- Year 6: Living things and their habitats (Classifying vectors as invertebrates and their role in ecosystem).
- Year 6: Evolution and inheritance (Discussing adaptations).
Geography:
- Year 5: Human and Physical geography/Place knowledge (Exploring climates and geographical characteristics of regions and how they affect vector habitats).
- Year 6: Place knowledge (Exploring why diseases are more common in some regions than others).
- Year 6: Human and physical geography (Considering how human actions and climate change contribute to spread).
PSHE:
- Year 5 & 6: Health and wellbeing/living in wider world (Linking prevention to global inequalities and responsibilities).
Supporting Materials
Teacher sheets- Last updated 27.08.2026
- English