Understanding Your Child’s Curriculum

The national curriculum outlines the topics and core skills children will learn as they progress through their school years. The curriculum is split into 4 key stages and your child will advance through these stages as they get older. It is useful for parents to understand the basics of each key stage so that they can support their child throughout the process. An independent school in London has provided some key facts for parents looking to learn more about their child’s curriculum.

Key Stage 1

This is the first compulsory stage of a child’s education, covering children between the ages of 5 – 7. Reception isn’t actually mandatory to attend but is useful in preparing young children for school before their compulsory lessons begin. Key stage 1 covers 10 core subjects, including English, maths and science. At the end of this stage, children will take part in national tests. These are mainly used to evaluate the school, rather than the child, however, they do give teachers and parents a sense of how the child is progressing.

Key Stage 2

Key Stage 2 covers ages 7 – 11 and is the final portion of a child’s primary education. KS2 focuses on the same 10 core subjects, with the addition of Religious Studies in all state-funded schools. At the end of Key Stage 2, children will undergo further tests to mark their progress. Pupils score a mark between 85-115 on these tests, with an expected standard of 100 at this level. Again, these tests are primarily used to track the standard of the school, however, results may be used to determine which sets your child will be placed in Secondary School.

Key Stage 3

This stage applies to children between 11-14 and is the first stage of their Secondary Education. The only addition to the ten core subjects in the curriculum are Religious Studies and Sex Education in all state-funded schools, however, both of these are optional based on parents’ discretion. There are no formal tests at the end of this stage though there are in-school assessments to track each child’s progress and to highlight areas that may need additional support. This is also the stage when children will select their GCSE options for Key Stage 4.

Key Stage 4

This is the final portion of a child’s mandatory full-time education. After this point, they can choose to continue in education and take their A-Levels, start an apprenticeship or trainee program, or spend time working/volunteering whilst studying part-time. During KS4 children will study for their GCSE exams or equivalent qualifications, which they will take in their final year. The results of these exams will determine their options for further education and apprenticeship programs.