By law, all children of compulsory school age (5 to 16) must receive a full time education that is suited to their age, ability, aptitude and special educational needs (SEN). Until 1988 schools were free to decide what they taught their pupils, with Religious Education being the only compulsory subject. As a result of the Education Reform Act 1988 The National Curriculum of England was developed and then introduced in 1992. Its aim was to make sure that all pupils had a balanced education by stating the topics that should be taught and the standards expected to be attained by pupils.
The National Curriculum defines four Key Stages, which breakdown as follows:
Key Stage 1: Years 1 and 2 (up to age 7)
Key Stage 2: Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 (age 7 to 11)
Key Stage 3: Years 7, 8 and 9 (age 11 to 14)
Key Stage 4: Years 10 and 11 (age 14 to 16)
The Foundation Stage, which represents early years learning (age 3 to the end of Reception Year, which is pre-Year 1) became part of the National Curriculum in 2002. Key Stage 1 and 2 are usually taught in primary schools and Key Stage 3 and 4 are usually taught in secondary schools. Most pupils transfer from primary to secondary school at age 11 years. However, a system of middle schools also exists: here pupils are transferred from primary school at either age 8 or 9 years, then onto secondary education at age 12 or 13 years.
The National Curriculum consists of a set of core and foundation subjects; the core subjects are English maths and science, and the foundation subjects are design & technology, information and communication technology (ICT), history, geography, art & design, music, physical education, modern foreign languages (Key Stage 3 only) and citizenship (Key Stage 3 and 4 only). Religious education is taught according to agreed local syllabus.
All pupils in England, except those at independent, private or public schools are required to adhere to the National Curriculum. Wales and Northern Ireland largely follow the National Curriculum requirements, with the exception that Welsh is also a core subject in Wales and that in Northern Ireland schools can develop additional curriculum elements to meet the needs of their pupils.
Pupils are assessed by National Curriculum tests at the end of each Key Stage, with Key Stage 4 being assessed by levels of achievement acquired at General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) level. Having completed GCSEs, pupils have a choice of whether to continue with further education at school or college through AS-level, A-level or vocational qualifications or to undertake employment.
Scotland
Scotland has its own distinctive and flexible qualification framework that is separate from the National Curriculum based framework used in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The curriculum in Scotland is not set by law, placing responsibility on local authorities and schools.
The Scottish curriculum is divided into the 5-14 Curriculum and the Standard Grade for 14 to 16 year olds. After Standard Grade pupils have the opportunity to take Intermediate, Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications, although some students may take Intermediate courses at 14 to 16.
The year groups in Scotland are divided into primary (P) and secondary (S), with the 5-14 curriculum covering P1 to P7 and S1 to S2; the Standard Grade programme in S3 and S4; Higher Grade in S5 (but also available at S6) and Advanced Higher taken by the most able pupils in S6. The first year of secondary schooling (S1) is equivalent to Year 8 in the rest of the UK, therefore those in Scotland have one year less in secondary school education than those in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The 5-14 Curriculum is divided into six attainment levels, A to F. Assessment of pupils’ attainment levels is taken by individuals or groups when the teacher considers them to be ready; whole classes or year groups do not sit tests at this grade.
