National Curriculum
Pupils aged 5-16 in state schools must be taught according to the National Curriculum, which is divided into four ‘Key Stages’ as shown below. The National Curriculum is also followed in many Independent schools. It is always useful, when visiting any school, to ask questions about subjects, standards and teaching practices.
| Year group | Age at end of school year (ie 31 August) | Key Stage |
| 1 | 6 | 1 |
| 2 | 7 | |
| 3 | 8 | 2 |
| 4 | 9 | |
| 5 | 10 | |
| 6 | 11 | |
| 7 | 12 | 3 |
| 8 | 13 | |
| 9 | 14 | |
| 10 | 15 | 4 |
| 11 | 16 | |
| 12 | 17 | 5 |
| 13 | 18 |
The National Curriculum provides pupils with an introduction to the essential knowledge that they need to be educated citizens. (See table of compulsory and foundation subjects below). The National Curriculum provides an outline of core knowledge around which teachers can develop exciting and stimulating lessons to promote the development of pupils’ knowledge, understanding and skills as part of the wider school curriculum.
|
|
Key Stage 1 |
Key Stage 2 |
Key Stage 3 |
Key stage 4 |
|
Age |
5 - 7 |
7 - 11 |
11 - 14 |
14 - 16 |
|
Year Groups |
1 - 2 |
3 - 6 |
7 - 9 |
10 - 11 |
|
Core subjects |
|
|
|
|
|
English |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Maths |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Science |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Foundation subjects |
|
|
|
|
|
Art & Design |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
Citizenship |
|
|
✓ |
✓ |
|
Computing |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Design & Technology |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
Languages |
|
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
Geography |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
History |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
Music |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
Physical Education |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
All schools are also required to teach religious education at all key stages. Secondary schools must provide sex and relationship education
|
|
Key Stage 1 |
Key Stage 2 |
Key Stage 3 |
Key stage 4 |
|
Age |
5 - 7 |
7 - 11 |
11 - 14 |
14 - 16 |
|
Year Groups |
1 - 2 |
3 - 6 |
7 - 9 |
10 - 11 |
|
Religious Education |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Sex and relationships education |
|
|
✓ |
✓ |
Source: National Curriculum.
*There are some variations in the curriculum elsewhere in the UK.
The core subjects of the National Curriculum in England are:
· English
· Maths
· Science
The eleven Foundation Subjects of the National Curriculum in England are listed below. These are links to the Government website that sets out the detailed programmes required to be followed in all authority maintained schools. We also have links to all the Programmes of Study elsewhere on the site, including English, maths and science - use the Search box and type in Programmes of Study.
National curriculum in England: art and design programmes of study
National curriculum in England: citizenship programmes of study
National curriculum in England: computing programmes of study
National curriculum in England: design and technology programmes of study
National curriculum in England: geography programmes of study
National curriculum in England: history programmes of study
National curriculum in England: languages programmes of study
National curriculum in England: music programmes of study
National curriculum in England: PE programmes of study
Personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE)
Religious education in English schools