What is the National Curriculum, and how does it work ?

The National Curriculum was introduced in 1988. It stipulates what must be studied in England and Wales by state school pupils, between the ages of five and 16. 

The core subjects taught, which form the basis of the primary and secondary curriculum are:

	English
	Mathematics
	Science

The foundation subjects also studied include:

	Design Technology
	Information and Communication Technology
	History (compulsory to Key Stage 3)
	Geography (compulsory to Key Stage 4)
	Modern Foreign Languages (at secondary school level)
	Art and Design
	Music
	Physical Education
	Citizenship (at secondary level from September 2002)
	PSHE
	Religious Education

Key Stages

The Key Stages (age ranges) are broken down as follows:

	Foundation Stage (age 3 - 5) Nursery and Reception
	Key Stage 1 - Infant curriculum (age range 5 - 7) Years 1 and 2
	Key Stage 2 - Junior curriculum (age range 8-11) Years 3 to 6
	Key Stage 3 - Lower secondary curriculum (age range 12 - 14)Years 7 - 9
	Key Stage 4 - Upper secondary curriculum (age range 15 -16) Years 10 and 11

At the age of 16, pupils usually take GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations.

"A" level (Advanced level) examinations are taken at the age of 18, after which students may gain entrance into University.

GNVQ (General National Vocational Qualification) courses are also taught in secondary schools. Eventually, they may also be studied with the view to gain entry into University.

The Key Stage 3 Strategy is being implemented to maintain pupil attainment after children enter high school. The Strategy focuses on the core subjects and the use of literacy, numeracy and ICT across the curriculum. Some understanding of it is essential for teachers of this age group (see the Department for Education's Standards website for more information).

Student Assessment

Students are assessed via SATs (Standard Assessment Tasks) at the end of Key Stages 1, 2 and 3. Long term teachers are involved in preparing pupils for these tests and are called upon to provide extra support within the classroom during assessment. Since its introduction the National Curriculum has undergone a series of amendments which are issued through statutory guidelines. There is now a much greater emphasis on Numeracy and Literacy with a numeracy and literacy hour taking place each day in state schools.

n.b. The Foundation Stage describes the phase of education from a child’s third birthday to the end of the Reception year. The early learning goals set out what most children are expected to achieve by the end of the foundation stage. By that time most children will have had at least two terms of full-time education in a reception class, in addition to their nursery and/or pre-school experience. For more information, please see the relevant section of the  Qualifications and Curriculum Authority website.

For more information on the National Curriculum please see the National Curriculum website (primary teachers should pay special attention to the Literacy and Numeracy Strategies).