Schools in the UK conform to guidelines laid down in the National Curriculum. The National Curriculum is divided into four stages. They are called Key Stages.

Key Stage Type of school Year group Age range
    Nursery 3-4 years
    Reception 4-5 years
Key Stage 1 Infant Year 1 5-6 years
  Infant Year 2 6-7 years
Key Stage 2 Junior Year 3 7-8 years
  Junior Year 4 8-9 years
  Junior Year 5 9-10 years
  Junior Year 6 10-11 years
Key Stage 3 Secondary Year 7 11-12 years
  Secondary Year 8 12-13 years
  Secondary Year 9 13-14 years
Key Stage 4 Secondary Year 10 14-15 years
  Secondary Year 11 15-16 years
  Secondary post 16 Year 12 16-17 years
  Secondary post 16 Year 13 17-18 years


Pupils will take GCSE at Year 11 and then can legally leave school. Pupils will take 'A' level examination at Year 13 or follow a GNVQ course


Curriculum Subjects

Religious Education must also be covered within the curriculum framework

  Key Stage 1 Key Stage 2 Key Stage 3 Key Stage 4  
Age (years) 5-7 7-11 11-14 14-16  
Year groups 1-2 3-6 7-9 10-11 National
English * * * * Curriculum
Mathematics * * * * core
Science * * * * subjects
Design & Technology * * *    
Information & Communication Technology * * * * National
History * * *   Curriculum
Geography * * *   non-core
Modern Foreign Language     *   Foundation
Art & Design * * *   subjects
Music * * *    
Physical Education * * * *  
Citizenship     * *  

* = statutory


OFSTED

The Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) is an independent Government department; their responsibility is to improve standards of achievement and quality of education through regular inspections and public report. All schools are inspected regularly, at least once every 6 years and a public report is published with the findings. For further information contact: www.ofsted.gov.uk
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