National Curriculum

The National Curriculum means that all children from the age of five will do the same kind of work in a range of subjects. The five central subjects are known as the core subjects. The remaining six subjects of the National Curriculum are known as the foundation subjects.

Core subjects
- English, Mathematics, Science, Information and Communication Technology, Religious Education
Foundation subjects
- Technology, Art, History, Physical Education, Geography, Music

The National Curriculum applies to pupils of compulsory school age in community and foundation schools, including community special schools and foundation special schools, and voluntary-aided and voluntary-controlled schools. It is organised on the basis of four key stages, as shown below.

	Key stage 1	Key stage 2	Key stage 3	Key stage 4
Age	5 to 7	7 to 11	11 to 14	14 to 16
Year groups	1 to 2	3 to 6	7 to 9	10 to 11

Since September 2000, schools have more flexibility about the way in which they teachthe foundation subjects. The government has decided to allow this so that schools can make sure that they have enough time to concentrate on the core subjects but especially literacy and numeracy. Most schools teach to the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies.

Schools must make sure that all children are taught all of the subjects both foundation and core.

Information on national curriculum requirements, i.e. what must be taught to primary children, can be found on the Department for Education website.

The full details on the content of the national curriculum for each subject at Key Stage One and Two can be found at the National Curriculum online website.