The national curriculum

Published 5 months ago• 2 minute read

The ‘basic’ school curriculum includes the ‘national curriculum’, as well as relationships, sex and health education, and religious education.

The national curriculum is a set of subjects and standards used by primary and secondary schools so children learn the same things. It covers what subjects are taught and the standards children should reach in each subject.

Other types of school like academies and private schools do not have to follow the national curriculum. Academies must teach a broad and balanced curriculum including English, maths and science. They must also teach relationships and sex education, and religious education.

The national curriculum is organised into blocks of years called ‘key stages’ (KS). At the end of each key stage, the teacher will formally assess your child’s performance.

Child’s age	Year	Key stage	Assessment
3 to 4	Not applicable	Early years	Not applicable
4 to 5	Reception	Early years	Assessment of pupils’ starting points in language, communication, literacy and maths and teacher assessments
5 to 6	Year 1	KS1	Phonics screening check
6 to 7	Year 2	KS1	National tests in English reading and maths. Teacher assessments in maths, science, and English reading and writing
7 to 8	Year 3	KS2	Not applicable
8 to 9	Year 4	KS2	Multiplication tables check
9 to 10	Year 5	KS2	Not applicable
10 to 11	Year 6	KS2	National tests in English reading, maths, and grammar, punctuation and spelling. Teacher assessments in English writing and science
11 to 12	Year 7	KS3	Not applicable
12 to 13	Year 8	KS3	Not applicable
13 to 14	Year 9	KS3	Not applicable
14 to 15	Year 10	KS4	Some children take GCSEs
15 to 16	Year 11	KS4	Most children take GCSEs or other national