British National Curriculum

The National Curriculum was introduced into England, Wales and Northern Ireland as a nationwide curriculum for primary and secondary state schools following the Education Reform Act 1988. It determines the content of what is taught and sets attainment targets for learning in all state schools.  Furthermore the national curriculum regulates reporting and assessment standards.

The Key Stages

Year groups are divided into key stages at the end of which there are certain standards that must be achieved.  At the end of KS1, 2, students must complete Standard Attainment Tests (SAT).  Then at the age of 16 students can choose to complete the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). Students may then choose to continue their studies and complete A level examinations after which may allow them to gain entry to university.

Ages	Key Stage	Type of School
3-4	Nursery	Foundation 1
4-5	Reception	Foundation 2
Key Stage 1	Infant
5-6	Year 1	Primary
6-7	Year 2	Primary
Key Stage 2	Junior
7-8	Year 3	Primary
8-9	Year 4	Primary
9-10	Year 5	Primary
10-11	Year 6	Primary
Key Stage 3
11-12	Year 7	Secondary
12-13	Year 8	Secondary
13-14	Year 9	Secondary
Key Stage 4
14-15	Year 10	Secondary
15-16	Year 11	Secondary
Key Stage 5 – not compulsory (A Level)
16-17	Year 12	Secondary
17-18	Year 13	Secondary

Within the Key Stages, different areas of the curriculum are mandatory:

KS1 & KS2	English, Mathematics, Science, Design & Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music & PE.
KS3	All the above, plus a modern language.
KS4	English, Mathematics, Science, PE, Technology and a Modern Language.

All students study Religious Education throughout the four Key Stages based on a non-denominational curriculum decided locally.  This curriculum should not try to convert students or urge a particular religion on them.  It needs to reflect the broadly Christian tradition of Britain but should also take into account other religions.

For each subject and at each Key Stage, a school’s Program of Study (or POS) sets out what pupils should be taught.  Attainment Targets establish the expected standards of pupil’s achievements.  Schools are able to organize the delivery of these POS as they wish.  Each school will create its own plans, day-by-day, week-by-week, term-by-term and year-by-year.  Planning within schools can take place on a school, department, Key Stage, year group or individual teacher level.