Typical questions

Considerations

Firstly, this is in reality a difficult subject, despite the fact that the term ‘national curriculum’ has become embedded in our education system for the last two decades. It is constantly changing. Indeed further reform is on the agenda at this very moment and changes have taken place throughout 2011. It also requires a certain level of knowledge and patience to find out the ‘nitty gritty’. Below, the basics are given together with websites where you can find out more detail. The information is organized by the four countries – England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – that make up the United Kingdom.

England

What is the National Curriculum?

State or ‘maintained’ 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 to 16 in state schools and sets out which subjects should be taught; the knowledge, skills and understanding a child should achieve in each subject according to their age; targets for each subject; and how information on each child's progress is assessed and reported to parents.

What are the Key Stages?

The National Curriculum is divided into the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and four Key Stages. These are:

What Subjects are Taught?

The compulsory National Curriculum subjects for Key Stages 1 and 2 are: English, Maths, Science, Design and Technology, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), History, Geography, Art and Design, Music and Physical Education (P.E.).Schools also have to teach religious education, though parents have the right to withdraw children for all or part of the religious education curriculum. In addition, schools are advised to teach Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship, together with at least one Modern Foreign Language (MFL).