National Curriculum for Primary Key Stage 1 and 2

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National Curriculum for Primary Key Stage 1 and 2

When your child is at primary school, you’ll often hear the following terms: foundation stage, Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2). These stages refer to particular age groups.

Foundation stage refers to the nursery and reception years – children aged 3-5 years old. Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is also used and, strictly speaking, refers to children aged 0-5.

KS1 covers Years 1 and 2 at primary school (children aged 5-7).

KS2 covers Year 3 up to Year 6 (children aged 7-11).

At secondary school, your child will go through two more key stages:

KS3 covers Year 7 to Year 9 (children aged 11-14).

KS4 covers Year 9 to Year 11 (children aged 14-16).

Subjects in the National curriculum – Primary Key Stage 1 and 2

The following subjects are compulsory for all primary school children aged 5-11, during KS1 and KS2.

Literacy (sometimes referred to as ‘English’).

Maths.

Science.

Design and technology.

Information and communication technology (ICT).

History.

Geography.

Art and design.

Music.

Physical education (PE).

Literacy, maths and science are known as core subjects. The other subjects are known as foundation subjects.

Schools also have to teach RE, although parents can choose to withdraw their children from RE lessons. RE is taught according to a locally agreed syllabus, and is expected to reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, while taking account of the teachings and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain. Faith schools are exempt from the locally-agreed syllabus and can create their own RE syllabus.

Currently, personal, social and health education (PSHE) is an optional subject in primary schools. Plans to make it statutory from this year are now unlikely to go ahead.

Extract taken from Primary School – A Parent’s Guide

When your child is at primary school, you’ll often hear the following terms: foundation stage, Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2). These stages refer to particular age groups.

Foundation stage refers to the nursery and reception years – children aged 3-5 years old. Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is also used and, strictly speaking, refers to children aged 0-5.
KS1 covers Years 1 and 2 at primary school (children aged 5-7).
KS2 covers Year 3 up to Year 6 (children aged 7-11).

At secondary school, your child will go through two more key stages:

KS3 covers Year 7 to Year 9 (children aged 11-14).
KS4 covers Year 9 to Year 11 (children aged 14-16).

Subjects in the National curriculum – Primary Key Stage 1 and 2

The following subjects are compulsory for all primary school children aged 5-11, during KS1 and KS2.

Literacy (sometimes referred to as ‘English’).
Maths.
Science.
Design and technology.
Information and communication technology (ICT).
History.
Geography.
Art and design.
Music.
Physical education (PE).

Literacy, maths and science are known as core subjects. The other subjects are known as foundation subjects.

Schools also have to teach RE, although parents can choose to withdraw their children from RE lessons. RE is taught according to a locally agreed syllabus, and is expected to reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, while taking account of the teachings and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain. Faith schools are exempt from the locally-agreed syllabus and can create their own RE syllabus.

Currently, personal, social and health education (PSHE) is an optional subject in primary schools. Plans to make it statutory from this year are now unlikely to go ahead.

Extract taken from Primary School - A Parent's Guide. For more information on the national curriculum for key stage 1 and 2, take a look at the book - available now in eBook and printed book formats. Buy the printed version and get the eBook free!