Amid the current controversy in England on the role of practical work in school science, this article considers the potential for modern developments in ICT to facilitate attainment of the broader aims of practical science. Practical science in schools is considered as a "sacred space", integral to the development of students with a rounded and reasoned appreciation of science. A model of science practical work is presented where students experience a challenging range of practical activities over their years of formal education, with students recording their observations and reflections as they go along. Integrating ICT into this process will be key to students' development as practising scientists.