The national curriculum
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1. Overview
The ‘basic’ school curriculum includes the ‘national curriculum’, religious education and sex 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 don’t have to follow the national curriculum. Academies must teach a broad and balanced curriculum including English, maths and science. They must also teach religious education.
Key stages
The national curriculum is organised into blocks of years called ‘key stages’ (KS). At the end of each key stage, your child's teacher will formally assess their performance to measure your child's progress.
| Age | Year | Key stage | Assessment | Average level of attainment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | Early years | |||
| 4 to 5 | Reception | Early years | ||
| 5 to 6 | Year 1 | KS1 | Phonics screening check | |
| 6 to 7 | Year 2 | KS1 | Teacher assessments in English, maths and science | 2 |
| 7 to 8 | Year 3 | KS2 | ||
| 8 to 9 | Year 4 | KS2 | ||
| 9 to 10 | Year 5 | KS2 | ||
| 10 to 11 | Year 6 | KS2 | National tests and teacher assessments in English, maths and science | 4 |
| 11 to 12 | Year 7 | KS3 | Teacher assessments | |
| 12 to 13 | Year 8 | KS3 | Teacher assessments | |
| 13 to 14 | Year 9 | KS3 | Teacher assessments | 5/6 |
| 14 to 15 | Year 10 | KS4 | Some children take GCSEs | |
| 15 to 16 | Year 11 | KS4 | Most children take GCSEs or other national qualifications |
Levels of attainment
For each subject there’s a ‘programme of study’. It describes what children should learn. There are also ‘attainment targets’ - usually split into 8 levels for each subject. You’ll get a school report at the end of the year telling you what level your child is at. Read more about what children will learn.
2. Key stage 1 and 2
Compulsory national curriculum subjects at primary school are:
- English
- maths
- science
- design and technology
- history
- geography
- art and design
- music
- physical education (PE), including swimming
- information and communication technology (ICT)
Schools can develop their own ICT curricula or follow the programmes of study. They must also provide religious education (RE) but parents can ask for their children to be taken out of the whole lesson or part of it.
Schools often also teach:
- personal, social and health education (PSHE)
- citizenship
- modern foreign languages
Tests and assessments
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.
Key stage 1
Key stage 1 tasks and tests cover:
- reading
- writing
- speaking and listening
- maths
- science
The tasks and tests are taken when the school chooses.
Your child's teacher will use the child’s work (including spoken work and homework) to work out what level your child is at in each area.
You can ask for the results but they’re only used to help the teacher assess your child’s work.
Key stage 2
Key stage 2 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. You’ll get the results in July. If your child is demonstrating higher achievement then the headteacher may put them in for extra tests.
When your child reaches the end of key stage 2 the teacher will also give reports on your child’s progress in English, maths and science.
3. Key stage 3 and 4
Key stage 3
Compulsory national curriculum subjects are:
- English
- maths
- science
- history
- geography
- modern foreign languages
- design and technology
- art and design
- music
- physical education
- citizenship
- information and communication technology (ICT)
Schools can develop their own ICT curricula or follow the programmes of study.
They must also provide religious education (RE) and sex education from key stage 3 but parents can ask for their children to be taken out of the whole lesson or part of it.
Key stage 4
During key stage 4 most pupils work towards national qualifications - usually GCSEs.
The compulsory national curriculum subjects are the ‘core’ and ‘foundation’ subjects.
Core subjects are:
- English
- maths
- science
Foundation subjects are:
- information and communication technology (ICT)
- physical education
- citizenship
Schools must also offer at least 1 subject from each of these areas:
- arts
- design and technology
- humanities
- modern foreign languages
They must also provide religious education (RE) and sex education at key stage 4. 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 at key stage 4 and above.
English Baccalaureate (EBacc)
In performance tables, the EBacc shows how many students got a GCSE grade C or above in English, maths, 2 sciences, a language, and history or geography.
4. Other compulsory subjects
Children must also study:
- careers education (year 9 onwards)
- sex and relationships education (year 7 onwards)
- religious education (RE)
They may not have to take exams in these subjects.
Sex and relationship education
Sex and relationship education (SRE) is compulsory from age 11 onwards. It involves teaching children about reproduction, sexuality and sexual health. It doesn’t promote early sexual activity or any particular sexual orientation.
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.
All schools must have a written policy on sex education, which they must make available to parents for free.
Religious education
Schools have to teach RE but parents can withdraw their children for all or part of the lessons. Pupils can choose to withdraw themselves once they’re 18.
Local councils are responsible for deciding the RE syllabus, but faith schools and academies can set their own.