What is the National Curriculum?
All children between the ages of five and sixteen in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, must legally study the National Curriculum (except those in private schools).
Who decides what is in it?
Many groups advise on what should be taught, and therefore what is in the National Curriculum, but the final decision on content rests with the Secretary of State for Education.
What are National Curriculum levels?
The National Curriculum is divided into eight levels:
Key Stage |
Age |
School Year |
Study Levels |
Key Stage 1 |
5-7 |
1-2 |
1-3 |
Key Stage 2 |
7-11 |
3-6 |
2-5 |
Key Stage 3 |
11-14 |
7-9 |
3-7 |
GCSE (Key Stage 4) |
14-16 |
10-11 |
A-G |
Key Stage 1 – a school report will be provided based on the teacher's assessment which will tell you what level your child is working at. The level will take into account results from national tasks and tests.
Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 – a school report will be provided telling you what National Curriculum level your child has reached in the ‘end of key stage’ tests and teacher assessments.
At the end of Key Stages 2 and 3 your child will take national tests. The tests – which children can't 'fail' - are intended to show if your child is working at, above or below the target levels for their age, so that the right plans can be made for their future learning.
What are Key Stage Tests?
Students are tested at the end of each Key Stage - at the ages of 7, 11, 14 and 16. For each test or exam, the government has set different levels of attainment which are expected of children at each particular Key Stage.
What are GCSE’s?
GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) or Key Stage 4 exams are taken at the end of the secondary school education, for children aged 15 or 16.
GCSE / Key Stage 4 (age 15-16 years) – GCSEs cover a wide range of subjects chosen by the child (expected to include English, Maths, Science and a language).
Online Games can help to improve Literacy and Numeracy. You may find these BBC links useful for games to help with SATS revision:
SATs, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, GCSEs & National Curriculum
Resources:
k-12 schools: Forest Trail Academy provides k-12 schools that offers learning program on public, private and high schools.
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Teaching Kids: Articles with tips and advice on how to help with your kids education and kids learning.
Enhance you kids education by following some simple tips to gain their interest learning and keep it. |
