AGES 3 TO 18

THE ENGLISH NATIONAL CURRICULUM

The English National Curriculum begins at the Early Years Foundation Stage, with children then progressing through Key Stages 1 to 3. Students move on to take highly respected GCSE or IGCSE qualifications from 14-16, before studying for prestigious A-level qualifications in sixth form.

THE ENGLISH NATIONAL CURRICULUM EXPLAINED

The English curriculum is one of the most widely taught programmes in the world, currently used in 45% of all international schools that teach the English language. If you’re considering a British education for your child, it’s important for both student and parent to understand the English National Curriculum and what it entails.

The curriculum begins with the Early Years Foundation Stage, which is expertly designed for children aged three to five. Students then progress through Key Stages 1 to 3, before studying for GCSE or IGCSE qualifications and A-levels.

AGES 3 TO 5

EARLY YEARS

At our English curriculum schools, students aged between three and five years old follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) programme. This is an important stage, helping children to prepare for school as well as their future learning and success.

We support our early years students’ learning and developmental needs through a stimulating and fun programme that’s delivered in a secure environment, both inside and outdoors. Our learning activities always involve playing and exploring, being active and creative, and developing critical thinking. Activities are adapted to suit each student’s unique needs and interests, providing every child with a strong foundation for their education.

Our schools plan learning activities based on seven key curriculum areas. These allow our young students to acquire knowledge and skills through engaging experiences. The seven areas are: Communication and Language, Physical Development, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design.

AGES 5 TO 11

KEY STAGE 1 AND 2

Key Stages 1 and 2 cover the English National Curriculum at primary school. Key Stage 1 covers Years 1 and 2 (ages 5 to 7), and Key Stage 2 covers Years 3 to 6 (ages 7 to 11). Compulsory subjects include English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Music, PE, Design and Technology, Art and Design, Computing, and Languages. Schools often teach Citizenship and Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education, too.

Key Stages 1 and 2 culminate in multiple tests and assessments. In Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), students take a phonic screening check, which involves reading 40 words out loud to a teacher. Students aged 6 to 7 in England, meanwhile, take tests in English reading, English grammar, punctuation and spelling, and Maths.

In Key Stage 2, Year 6 children (ages 10-11) sit SATs exams. These test students’ skills in English reading, English grammar, punctuation and spelling, and Maths. This is the final assessment for primary school students studying the English curriculum.

AGES 11 TO 14

KEY STAGE 3

Key Stage 3 begins in secondary school, where students aged 11 to 14 continue to develop their skills and knowledge in a stimulating and challenging learning environment. Building upon their experience from Key Stage 1 and 2, students take a wide variety of subjects as they prepare for the challenge of GCSE and IGCSE exams.

Subjects include Art and Design, Citizenship, Design and Technology, English (including Drama), Geography, History, Information and Communication Technology, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Music, Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education, Physical Education, and Science covering Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

AGES 14 TO 16

gcses

At the end of secondary school, children aged 14 to 15 work towards their GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) or IGCSEs.

GCSEs are a set of exams taken in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and other British Territories that test students on compulsory and chosen subjects, following two years of study. GCSEs have a 9-1 grading system, with 9 being the equivalent of an A* in the old system, and 1 being the equivalent of a G.

AGES 16 TO 18

A-LEVELS

Students who achieve at least five GCSEs can proceed to study A-levels (Advanced Levels). These subject-based qualifications allow students to focus on specific fields, normally based upon what they would like to study in higher education or pursue in future careers.

A-levels are the school-leaving qualification that leads to university, further study, work experience, or work. A-level students normally study three or four subjects over the course of two years.

ASSESSING THE ENGLISH NATIONAL CURRICULUM

The English curriculum is characterised by end-of-school assessments, most importantly GCSEs and A-levels. However, younger students also sit assessments, such as SATs.

Teachers carry out assessments from the ages of 4 to 5, with an optional assessment at the start of the year. Students aged 5 to 6 take a phonic screening check, then learners aged 6 to 7 sit their SATs. SATs are standardised assessment tests administered in primary schools to check educational progress. They’re used as a marker by the British Government and parents to assess the quality of education at a school.