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. Key stages 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 Early years 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 8 to 9 Year 4 KS2 Multiplication tables check 9 to 10 Year 5 KS2 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 12 to 13 Year 8 KS3 13 to 14 Year 9 KS3 14 to 15 Year 10 KS4 Some children take GCSEs 15 to 16 Year 11 KS4 Most children take GCSEs or other national Assessments By the end of each summer term the school must write a report on your child’s progress and talk it through with you.

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 computing ancient and modern foreign languages (at key stage 2) Primary schools must also provide: relationships and health education 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 (at key stage 1) sex education - parents can ask for their children to be taken out of the lesson 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 does not do well enough in the check they’ll have to do it again in Year 2. Key stage 1 Key stage 1 tests cover: English reading English grammar, punctuation and spelling maths Your child will take the tests in May. You can ask the school for the test results. You’ll be sent the results of your child’s teacher assessments automatically. Key stage 2 Your child will take national tests in May when they reach the end of key stage 2. These test your child’s skills in: English reading English grammar, punctuation and spelling maths The tests last less than 4 hours. You’ll get the results in July. The school will send you the results of your child’s tests and teacher assessments.

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 computing Schools must also provide: relationships, sex and health education - parents can ask for their children to be taken out of sex education religious education ( RE ) - 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: computing physical education citizenship Schools must also offer at least one subject from each of these areas: arts design and technology humanities modern foreign languages They must also provide relationships, sex and health education, and religious education ( RE ) at key stage 4. English Baccalaureate ( EBacc ) The EBacc is a way to measure how many pupils in a school choose to take a GCSE in these core subjects: English language and literature maths the sciences history or geography a language Find out more about the EBacc .

Other compulsory subjects

Children might also need to study relationships, sex and health education, and religious education ( RE ). What your child must study depends on the subject, and whether your child is in primary or secondary school. They may not have to take exams in these subjects. Schools must have a written policy on relationships education (primary schools) and relationships and sex education (secondary schools), which they must make available to parents for free. Relationships education Relationships education is compulsory for all primary and secondary school pupils. Sex education Sex education is compulsory in secondary schools. Parents can ask to withdraw their child from parts or all of sex education taught as part of relationships and sex education. Parents cannot withdraw their child from sex education taught in science. Primary schools can choose to teach sex education but it’s not compulsory. Parents can withdraw their child from sex education in primary school. Health education Health education is compulsory for all pupils in state-funded primary and secondary schools. 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.

The national curriculum

Overview

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.

Key stages

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		Early years
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
8 to 9	Year 4	KS2	Multiplication tables check
9 to 10	Year 5	KS2
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
12 to 13	Year 8	KS3
13 to 14	Year 9	KS3
14 to 15	Year 10	KS4	Some children take GCSEs
15 to 16	Year 11	KS4	Most children take GCSEs or other national

Assessments

By the end of each summer term the school must write a report on your child’s progress and talk it through with you.

View a printable version of the whole guide

The national curriculum

Overview

Key stages

Assessments

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The national curriculum

Overview

Key stages

Assessments

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