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Pupils aged 5-16 in state schools must be taught according to the National Curriculum, which is divided into four ‘Key Stages’ as shown below. The National Curriculum is also followed in most Independent schools. It is always useful to ask questions when you visit any school about subjects, standards and teaching practices.
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Year group
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Age at end of school year (ie August)
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Key Stage
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1
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6
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1
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2
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7
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3
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8
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2
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4
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9
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5
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10
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6
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11
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7
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12
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3
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8
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13
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9
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14
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10
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15
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4
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11
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16
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Pupils in Key stage 1
The children in this age group will be timetabled to have lessons in Mathematics, English, Science, Design and Technology, I.T., History, Geography, Art, Music and Physical Education. They also have to study Religious Education and should have included some topics on personal, social and health education (PSHE) and Citizenship.
Pupils in Key Stage 2
Children in this age group must be taught the core subjects of English, mathematics, science, design and technology, history, geography art, music, physical education, information technology; and must study religious education and also have personal, social and health education (PSHE) and Citizenship
Levels of achievement
The National Curriculum syllabuses follow the Early Learning Goals and the Foundation Stage. Some pupils will have completed the Foundation Stage by the end of Reception whereas other children may not have. This is not a problem as most children will eventually achieve their potential.
The National Curriculum sets standards of achievement in each subject. For most subjects, these standards range from levels 1-8. Pupils progress up the levels as they learn more. At the end of each Key Stage, pupils are expected to reach a certain level:
- most 7 year olds are expected to achieve Level 2 (Key Stage 1)
- most 11 year olds are expected to achieve Level 4 (Key Stage 2)
- most 14 year olds are expected to achieve Levels 5 or 6 (Key Stage 3)
The levels achieved by pupils are checked through teacher assessments and tests.
Teacher Assessments
Teachers check pupils’ progress in each subject as a normal part of their teaching. They must assess attainment in English, mathematics and science against the National Curriculum standards at the end of each Key Stage. The teacher decides which level best describes a pupil’s performance in each subject using their knowledge of the work pupils have done throughout the year to judge their progress.
Tests
Pupils take national tests at the end of each Key Stage. They show the performance of pupils on a particular day and give a measure of how pupils are doing compared with national standards in these subjects. At the end of Key Stage 2 pupils are tested in English, mathematics and science.
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