Key Stage Learning

Welcome to Key Stage Learning: A Guide to Your Child’s Education Journey

At Key Stage Learning, we aim to demystify the UK’s school curriculum and guide parents through each step of their child’s educational journey. Understanding how the curriculum is structured helps you support your child’s learning at every stage. Whether your child is just starting in Reception or preparing for their GCSEs, our comprehensive resources provide the information you need.

What is the National Curriculum?

The National Curriculum outlines the subjects and standards that most primary and secondary schools follow. It ensures all children, regardless of where they go to school, receive a consistent and balanced education. Some schools, like academies and private institutions, have more flexibility, but they still teach core subjects like English, maths, and science, alongside compulsory topics such as relationships and sex education (RSE), and religious education (RE).

The Key Stages Explained

The National Curriculum is divided into “Key Stages” (KS) based on a child’s age and school year:

• Early Years (ages 3-5): Focuses on language, literacy, communication, and maths, with assessments starting in Reception.
• Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7): Involves formal assessments, including phonics screening in Year 1 and national tests in reading and maths in Year 2.
• Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11): Introduces subjects like science, design, and technology, with national tests at the end of Year 6 in English and maths.
• Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14): Continues with a broad range of subjects like history, geography, modern languages, and computing.
• Key Stage 4 (ages 14-16): Prepares students for GCSEs in core subjects like English, maths, and science, with additional options in arts, technology, and humanities.

What Subjects Will My Child Study?

Across the key stages, students study a range of compulsory subjects designed to develop core skills and knowledge:

• Primary (Key Stage 1 & 2): English, maths, science, history, geography, physical education (PE), computing, and languages. Schools also provide relationships, health, and religious education.
• Secondary (Key Stage 3 & 4): The focus expands to include design and technology, citizenship, and modern foreign languages. By Key Stage 4, students work toward GCSEs in core and foundation subjects, including arts and humanities.

Assessments and Progress Tracking

At the end of each key stage, your child’s progress is formally assessed through a combination of tests and teacher evaluations. Schools provide annual reports to keep parents informed of their child’s achievements, ensuring you’re part of their academic progress.

Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSE)

RSE is a compulsory part of the curriculum, helping children understand personal relationships, health, and well-being. Parents can choose to withdraw their child from certain parts of these lessons, except for elements taught within the science curriculum.

How We Help

At Key Stage Learning, we simplify the curriculum’s complexity, providing parents and guardians with clear guidance on what to expect at each stage of their child’s education. Whether you want to know more about assessments, national tests, or the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), we’re here to help you navigate this important journey.