National Curriculum & key stages

Directgov states that the National Curriculum is a framework used by all maintained schools to ensure that teaching and learning is balanced and consistent. More details are given in the contacts provided.

The information below specifies all key stages, what year they apply to and what national test will be taken in what year.

The following has been reported on and published. As we go through each area of the National Curriculum, each area will be explained and direction given for more detail. The information below is shown in part and we have directed you below on how to access the information in full.

The National Curriculum is organised into blocks of years called 'key stages'.

There are four key stages as well as a Foundation Stage, which covers children below the minimum compulsory schooling age of five. The table below is from the Directgov website.

Age (Years) Stage Year Tests
3 - 4 Foundation
4 - 5 Reception
5 - 6 Key Stage 1 Year 1
6 - 7 Year 2National tests and tasks in English and Maths
7 - 8 Key Stage 2 Year 3
8 - 9 Year 4
9 - 10 Year 5
10 - 11 Year 6 National tests and tasks in English, Maths and science
11 - 12 Key Stage 3 Year 7
12 -13 Year 8
13 - 14 Year 9 National tests and tasks in English, Maths and Science
14 - 15 Key Stage 4 Year 10 Some children take GCSEs
15 - 16 Year 11 Most children take GCSEs or other national qualifications


CONTACTS:
More about the National Curriculum
Information about the National Curriculum subjects
More about the curriculum and qualifications
School curriculum information for Wales
School curriculum information for Scotland
School curriculum information for Northern Ireland
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