The education system in the UK is fundamentally based on a system of stages called Key Stages, which are detailed in the National Curriculum. These stages decompose a child’s educational apprenticeship, deciding the path of their learning journey to guidance in further education, and assure a national consistency in teaching and assessment. For parents and guardians, especially for families new to the UK, whether an international family, understanding key stages is really important in tracking children’s progress and preparing for significant educational phases and milestones.
Key Stage 1 (Ages 5–7)
School Years: Year 1 and Year 2 (Primary School)
Key Stage 1 is the official beginning of a child’s formal education. At this point, children will have already completed the Early Years Foundation Stage (ages 3–5).
At KS1, the emphasis is on laying the foundations in core subjects:
- English: Reading, writing and basic grammar
• Maths: Simple arithmetic, number recognition, and reasoning
• Science: Investigating and observing the Natural World
Children are assessed during Key Stage 1 through SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) in reading, writing, maths and science at the end of Year 2.
Key Stage 2 (Ages 7–11)
School years: Year 3 to Year 6 (Primary)
This stage builds on early learning while exploring more demanding concepts. Core and foundation subjects are extended to include history, geography, computing, art, and PE (physical education).
At the end of KS2, pupils sit national SATs (Standard Attainment Tests) in English and Maths. These are important as results are passed on to secondary schools as part of shaping the expectations and support of each individual student’s learning journey.
Key Stage 3 (Ages 11 to 14 years)
School years: Year 7 to Year 9 (Secondary School)
Students transition into KS3 upon arrival in secondary school. KS3 broadens the curriculum to include further studies in modern foreign languages, design and technology and citizenship; in addition to the core subjects.
It is an important stage in developing independent learning and preparation for future examinations. There are no national SATs (standardized assessments) at the end of KS3, but schools complete internal assessments to track progress.
Stage 4 (Ages 14–16)
School year: Year 10 and Year 11 (Secondary School).
Stage 4 is one of the most important stages of education because pupils begin to prepare for their GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education). Pupils undertake the following study:
- Core subjects: English, Maths and Science.
• Optional subjects: they can choose from the humanities, the arts, languages or vocational courses.
At the end of KS4, students take their GCSEs. The student’s outline of their results is often taken into consideration for the decision for their post-16 educational pathway, either a-levels, vocational qualifications, or apprenticeships.
Key Stage 5 (Ages 16–18 )
School Years: Year 12 and Year 13 (sixth form or college)
The last part of secondary education is called “post-16 education.” During KS5, students focus on the subjects they enjoy as they typically study either:
- A-Levels (academic qualifications)
• Vocational courses such as BTECs or T-Levels.
This stage provides students with the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to progress to higher education, apprenticeships or employment. At the end of KS5, students will sit their A-Level or equivalent examinations which will form part of their application to university via UCAS.
The Importance of Key Stages
Key Stages are important because they provide:
- Clarity for parents – allows you to know what your child should be learning.
• Consistency for schools – provides a coherent framework for schools across the country.
• Support for students – creates a coherent plan of learning that builds year on year.
Whether you are from the UK or an overseas family considering education in the UK, understanding the Key Stage system will enable you to understand how best to support your child’s development at every stage.