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Key Stages
What are the Key Stages?
The National Curriculum is divided into four Key Stages that children are taken through during their school life. Targets defined in the National Curriculum are assessed at the end of each Key Stage.
| The Key Stages | ||
|---|---|---|
| EYFS | Age 2-4 | Nursery & Reception |
| Key Stage 1 | Ages 5-7 | Years 1 and 2 |
| Key Stage 2 | Ages 7-11 | Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 |
| Key Stage 3 | Ages 11-14 | Years 7, 8 and 9 |
| Key Stage 4 | Ages 14-16 | Years 10 and 11 |
What is the EYFS?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old. All schools and Ofsted-registered early years providers must follow the EYFS, including childminders, preschools, nurseries and school reception classes. Our Early Years setting follows the curriculum as outlined in the 2021 statutory framework of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The EYFS framework includes 7 areas of learning and development that are equally important and inter-connected. However, 3 areas known as the prime areas are seen as particularly important for igniting curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building children’s capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive.
The prime areas are:
- Communication and language
- Physical development
- Personal, social and emotional development
The prime areas are strengthened and applied through 4 specific areas:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
What is the National Curriculum?
State schools in England must teach a range of subjects according to targets set by the National Curriculum. This was established in 1989 to ensure the same standards of teaching and learning across the nation.
The National Curriculum covers learning for all children aged 5-16 in state schools, and sets out:
- Which subjects should be taught.
- The knowledge, skills and understanding your child should achieve in each subject (according to your child’s age).
- Targets - so that teachers can measure how well your child is doing in each subject.
What are Programmes of Study?
Programmes of study set out what teachers should cover in every subject during each Key Stage.
Click the links below to find information about the curriculum, spellings and end of year expectations for all year groups.
Please use the links below to find out more about each Key Stage at Meadow Primary School:
Early Years Foundation Stage
Assessments
There are assessments when a child is aged between 2 and 3 years and at the end of the academic year when they turn 5. These are not tests for the child - the assessments are based on EYFS practitioners’ observations.
Information from these assessments is used for parents, practitioners and teachers to support children’s learning and development.
Teaching is often done through play, where the child learns about subjects and other people through games.
Early Years Foundation Stage Profile
At the end of the academic year when a child turns 5, the practitioner records each child’s development by watching the child playing and in the classroom. The completed assessment is known as the ‘Early Years Foundation Stage Profile’. This is used to help the Year 1 teacher plan lessons for the children.
Further information for parents
Read more about EYFS on our website here and from the Department of Education below:
Key Stage 1
Compulsory National Curriculum subjects at primary school are:
- English
- Maths
- Science
- Design and Technology
- History
- Geography
- Art and Design
- Music
- Physical Education (PE), including swimming
- Computing
Schools must provide religious education (RE) but parents can ask for their children to be taken out of the whole lesson or part of it.
Schools often also teach:
- Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
- Citizenship
- Modern Foreign Languages (at key Stage 1)
Tests and assessments
Year 1 Phonics Screening Check
The check will take place in June when your child will read 40 words out loud to a teacher. You’ll find out how your child did, and their teacher will assess whether he or she needs extra help with reading. If your child does not do well enough in the check they’ll have to do it again in Year 2.
Key Stage 1
Key Stage 1 (Year 2) tests cover:
- English reading
- English grammar, punctuation and spelling
- Maths
Your child will take the tests in May. You can ask the school for the test results.
You’ll be sent the results of your child’s teacher assessments automatically.
Key Stage 2
Compulsory National Curriculum subjects at primary school are:
- English
- Maths
- Science
- Design and Technology
- History
- Geography
- Art and Design
- Music
- Physical Education (PE), including swimming
- Computing
- Modern Foreign Languages
Schools must provide religious education (RE) but parents can ask for their children to be taken out of the whole lesson or part of it.
Schools often also teach:
- Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
- Citizenship
- Modern Foreign Languages
Tests and assessments
Your child will take national tests in May when they reach the end of Key Stage 2. These test your child’s skills in:
- English reading
- English grammar, punctuation and spelling
- Maths
The tests last less than 4 hours. You will recieve the results in July.
The school will send you the results of your child’s tests and teacher assessments.
