Education in England is structured within a framework called the National Curriculum. The National Curriculum was introduced to provide consistency of standards across schools, which describes the subjects which children study, knowledge and skills they will gain, and how they will be assessed. Understanding the National Curriculum is important for parents, students and interested parties to comprehend the journey of education in the UK.
What is the National Curriculum?
The National Curriculum is a framework created by the government for state schools in England, which specifies:
- Subjects children should learn in each phase.
• Expected knowledge and skills for each subject area.
• Assessment methods, including national assessments.
It aims to provide all children with a similar high-quality education, wherever they live in England. Academies and free schools have the power to deviate from the National Curriculum, but many do close to this to ensure educational standards are the same across different types of school.
Important stages of the Curriculum
The Curriculum is organised into Key Stages (KS) according to age groups and year groups:
- Key Stage 1 (Ages 5–7, Year 1–2): The foundations of learning in the core subjects; English, Maths, and Science. Pupils are introduced to reading and writing, as well as the basics of numeracy.
• Key Stage 2 (Ages 7–11, Year 3–6): Years 3-6 build on the foundations for more developed ideas in subjects such as History, Geography, and Computing. Year 2 pupils take national SATs at the end of Year 6.
• Key Stage 3 (Ages 11–14, Years 7–9): Learning broadens and pupils will study a full range of subjects, in preparation for a focus of study later in education.
• Key Stage 4 (Ages 14–16, Years 10–11): Education focus is on GCSEs, pupils study subject options and continue compulsory English, Maths and Science.
• Key Stage 5 (Ages 16–18, Year 12-13): Education post 16 via A-level, T-level and/or vocational qualifications.
Main and Basic Subjects
- Main subjects: English, Mathematics, and Science (compulsory until Key Stage 4).
- Basic subjects: History, Geography, Art & Design, Music, Physical Education, Computing, etc.
Every school also include Religious Education and offers Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE), even though the model varies from school to school.
Monitoring Progress
The curriculum includes assessments to monitor progress:
- Phonics Screening (Year 1) – assesses the reading skill of a pupil.
• SATs (Years 2 and 6) – assess English and Maths, at Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 respectively.
• GCSE exams (Year 11) – assess a pupil’s level of achievement at the end of Key Stage 4.
All three assessments provide teachers, parents, and policymakers with information about achievement and where support may be required.
The Importance of the National Curriculum
- Uniformity: Guarantees that all children are entitled to the same quality education.
• Progression: Establishes a clear learning pathway from early years to higher education.
• Choice and opportunity: Provides students with the opportunity to special later, while ensuring breadth in the early years.
• Accountability: Assists to prove progress to schools and teachers through national standards.
Curriculum Flexibility
Although the framework is on the centre, schools have flexibility in;
- Teaching strategies.
• The sequence in which they teach topics.
• Enriching the curriculum with extracurricular opportunities.
This balance ensures that schools preserve their uniqueness while still meeting national reforms.
Closing Thoughts
The National Curriculum is an important part of education in England, providing fairness, consistency, and future preparation. For parents, knowledge of what your child will study, and when, can assist you to help support their learning. For children, it is the pathway to success, from primary through higher education or work.