The National Curriculum is the set of guidelines that says what pupils should be taught in school.

Look on it as a map that charts your child's progress on a learning journey. The aims of the National Curriculum are

to provide a balanced education for your child

to prepare your child for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life

to develop an enterprising, adaptable and self-confident person

to give your child self-respect and encourage respect for others

The Curriculum is divided into four stages of education, known as Key Stages.

Each Key Stage is aimed at children between certain ages. Within each Key Stage, a number of different subjects are studied.

The Key Stages are as follows (click on any Key Stage to find out more about it):

Key Stage 1 (5-7 year olds)

This section provides a brief summary of what your child will study in each subject area.

English

Speaking and listening

Reading

Writing

Mathematics

Using and applying mathematics

Number

Shape, space and measures

Science

Experimental and investigative science

Life processes and living things

Materials and their properties

Physical processes

Design and technology

Designing

Making

Knowledge and understanding

Information technology

Using, exploring and discussing experiences of IT

Communicating and handling information

Controlling and modelling

History

Chronology

Range and depth of historical knowledge and understanding

Interpretations of history

Historical enquiry

Organisation and communication

Geography

Geographical skills

Places

Thematic study

Art

Investigating and making

Knowledge and understanding

Music

Performing and composing

Listening and appraising

Physical education

Games

Gymnastic activities

Dance

(plus the option of swimming)

Additional statutory area:

Religious education (Content determined by LEAs (most schools) or faith

foundation). Advised to cover:

Learning about religions

Learning from religions

Key Stage 2 (7-11 year olds)

English

Speaking and listening

Reading

Writing

Mathematics

Using and applying mathematics

Number and algebra

Shape, space and measures

Handling data

Science

Experimental and investigative science

Life processes and living things

Materials and their properties

Physical processes

Design and technology

Designing

Making

Knowledge and understanding

Information technology

Using, exploring and discussing experiences of IT

Communicating and handling information

Controlling and modelling

History

Chronology

Range and depth of historical knowledge and understanding

Interpretations of history

Historical enquiry

Organisation and communication

Geography

Geographical skills

Places

Thematic studies

Art

Investigating and making

Knowledge and understanding

Music

Performing and composing

Listening and appraising

Physical education

Games

Gymnastic activities

Dance

Athletic activities

Outdoor and adventurous activities

Swimming

Additional statutory area:

Religious education (Content determined by LEAs (most schools) or faith

foundation). Advised to cover:

Learning about religions

Learning from religions

Sex education (Content determined by policy of governors)

Key Stage 3 (11-14 year olds)

English

During Key Stages 3 and 4 schools will cover the following:

Speaking and listening

Reading

Writing

Mathematics

During Key Stages 3 and 4 schools will cover the following:

Using and applying mathematics

Number

Algebra

Shape, space and measures

Handling data

Science

Experimental and investigative science

Life processes and living things

Materials and their properties

Physical processes

Design and technology

Designing

Making

Knowledge and understanding

Information technology

Using, exploring and discussing experiences of IT

Communicating and handling information

Controlling, measuring and modelling

History

Chronology

Range and depth of historical knowledge and understanding

Interpretations of history

Historical enquiry

Organisation and communication

Geography

Geographical skills

Places

Thematic study

Modern foreign languages

During Key Stages 3 and 4 schools will cover the following:

Listening and responding

Speaking

Reading and responding

Writing

Art

Investigating and making

Knowledge and understanding

Music

Performing and composing

Listening and appraising

Physical education

Games

Gymnastic activities

Dance

Athletic Activities

Outdoor and adventurous activities

Swimming

Additional statutory area:

Religious education (Content determined by LEAs (most schools) or faith

foundation). Advised to cover:

Learning about religions

Learning from religions

Sex education (Content determined by policy of governors)

Key Stage 4 (14-16 year olds)

English

During Key Stages 3 and 4 schools will cover the following:

Speaking and listening

Reading

Writing

Mathematics

During Key Stages 3 and 4 schools will cover the following:

Using and applying mathematics

Number

Algebra

Shape, space and measures

Handling Data

Science (double science)

Experimental and investigative science

Life processes and living things

Materials and their properties

Physical processes

Science (single science)

Experimental and investigative science

Life processes and living things

Materials and their properties

Physical processes

Design and technology

Designing

Making

Knowledge and understanding

Information technology

Using, exploring and discussing experiences of IT

Communicating and handling information

Controlling and modelling

Modern foreign languages

During Key Stages 3 and 4 schools will cover the following:

Listening and responding

Speaking

Reading and responding

Writing

Physical education

Games

Gymnastic activities

Dance

Athletic activities

Outdoor and adventurous activities

Swimming

Sex education (Content determined by policy of governors)