How the national curriculum works

This page refers to the National Curriculum 2014 for England.

Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have separate guidelines.

Overview

The national curriculum began in 1989 and was most recently revised in 2014. It is a set of subjects and standards used by schools so that all children learn the same core topics.

It explains which subjects are taught and the standards children should reach in each subject.

Key Stages

The national curriculum is organised into blocks of years called ‘key stages’ (KS).

At the end of each key stage, your child will take a formal assessment.

Levels

Find out more about what your child will learn in maths each year.

Here are examples of some useful parents’ leaflets (courtesy of Hunnyhill Primary School) which outline what pupils will learn in each year group.

End of year expectations Year 1 Sept 2015

End of year expectations Year 2 Sept 2015

End of year expectations Year 3 Sept 2015

End of year expectations Year 4 Sept 2015

End of year expectations Year 5 Sept 2015

End of year expectations Year 6 Sept 2015

Key stage 1 (ages 5-7)

Compulsory national curriculum subjects at primary school

English
Maths
Science
Design and Technology (DT)
History
Geography
Art and Design
Music
Physical Education (PE), Including Swimming
Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
Computing
- Religious Education (RE) - This must be provided but parents can ask for their children to be taken out of the whole lesson or part of it.

Test and Assessments

Baseline assessment on entry to school

Tasks and tests for Key stage 1 cover:

Reading
Writing
Speaking and listening
Maths
Science
English (including S.P.A.G - spelling, punctuation and grammar)

Age	Year	Assessment
5 to 6	Year 1	Phonics screening check - The check will take place in June when your child will read 40 words out loud to a teacher. You’ll find out how your child did, and their teacher will assess whether he or she needs extra help with reading. If your child doesn’t do well enough in the check they’ll have to do it again in Year 2.
6 to 7	Year 2	Teacher assessments in English, maths and science.

Key stage 2 (ages 7-11)

Compulsory national curriculum subjects at primary school

English
Maths
Science
Design and Technology (DT)
History
Geography
Art and Design
Music
Foreign language
Physical Education (PE), including swimming
Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
Computing
SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development) and Religious Education (RE) - This must be provided but parents can ask for their children to be taken out of the whole lesson or part of it.

Test and Assessments

At this stage, tests cover:

English reading
English grammar, punctuation and spelling
Maths (including mental arithmetic)

The tests are taken in mid-May and last under 5.5 hours in total and you’ll get the results in July.

Age	Year	Assessment
7 to 8	Year 3	Teacher Assessments
8 to 9	Year 4	Teacher Assessments
9 to 10	Year 5	Teacher Assessments
10 to 11	Year 6	National tests and teacher assessments in English, maths and science.

Key stage 3 (ages 11-14)

Compulsory national curriculum subjects

English
Maths
Science
History
Geography
Modern foreign languages
Design and Technology (DT)
Art and Design
Music
Physical Education (PE)
Citizenship
Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
Computing
SMRC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development) and Religious Education (RE) - This must also be provided but parents can ask for their children to be taken out of the whole lesson or part of it. Sex Education - This is a compulsory subject but parents can ask for their children to be taken out of parts of the lesson.

Test and Assessments

Age	Year	Assessment
11 to 12	Year 7	Teacher assessments
12 to 13	Year 8	Teacher assessments
13 to 14	Year 9	Teacher assessments

Key stage 4 (ages 14-16)

During this stage most pupils work towards national qualifications - usually GCSEs.

The compulsory national curriculum subjects are the ‘core’ and ‘foundation’ subjects.

Core subjects

English
Maths
Science

Foundation subjects

Physical Education (PE)
Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
Citizenship

Schools must also offer at least 1 subject from each of these areas

Arts
Design and Technology (DT)
Humanities
Modern foreign languages

Optional subjects

Religious Education (RE) - Pupils don’t have to take exams in religious studies but schools must provide at least 1 course where pupils can get a recognised RE qualification.
Some parts of sex and relationship education are compulsory - these are part of the national curriculum for science. Parents can withdraw their children from all other parts of sex and relationship education if they want.