Frequently Asked Questions

National Curriculum

What is the National Curriculum?

The National Curriculum must be taught to all children aged 5-16 in all Local Authority schools. It sets out the knowledge, skills and understanding needed in each subject. It provides standards to measure how well children are doing, to help teachers plan future learning.

The National Curriculum is broken down into four Key Stages and the Foundation Stage for younger children. To help teachers know exactly how a child is progressing, attainment levels can be broken down into:
A - fully achievedB - almost thereC - working towards

For children working below level 1 of the National Curriculum; P scales are used to measure their progress.

What is the Foundation Stage?

The Foundation Stage is designed specifically for children aged 3-5 years.

There are six areas of learning covering children’s physical, intellectual, emotional and social development. A child’s development is assessed throughout the Foundation Stage. A record of development across all of these areas provides a picture of the whole child at the end of the Foundation Stage.

What is Key Stage 1?

Key Stage 1 (KS1) is the level of the National Curriculum taught to children in Year 1 and Year 2 (Age 5-7). Teacher assessment in English and Maths are reported at the end of Year 2. Children are expected to attain Level 2b.

What is Key Stage 2?

Key Stage 2 (KS2) is the level of the National Curriculum taught to children in Year 3 to Year 6 (Age 7-11). National tests (SATs) are taken at the end of Year 6. Children are expected to attain Level 4b.

What is Key Stage 3?

Key Stage 3 (KS3) is the level of the National Curriculum taught to children in Year 7 to Year 9 (Age 11-14). National tests (SATs) are taken at the end of Year 9. Children are expected to attain Level 5 or 6.

What is Key Stage 4?

Key Stage 4 (KS4) is the level of the National Curriculum taught to children in Year 10 and Year 11 (Age 14-16). National tests (GCSEs) are taken at the end of Year 11.

What are the P scales?

The P scales break down into small achievable steps the important skills, knowledge and understanding which a child needs before moving on to work at the National Curriculum levels.