What are the Key Stages?
Key stages are the different stages or ‘blocks’ of the national curriculum. You’ll often see key stages written as ‘KS’ followed by a number.
The national curriculum is a set of subjects and standards used by most primary and secondary schools funded and run by the government and councils.
The national curriculum allows most children to learn the same things. Key stages break the curriculum down into manageable chunks. Key stages can be shorter or longer and usually take between 2 to 4 years to cover.
Other types of school like academies and private schools might set their own curriculums.
Early Years 0 to 5s
From birth to 5 years old the early years foundation stage (EYFS) sets standards for the learning, development and care of your child.
All Ofsted-registered early years providers follow the EYFS including:
- childminders
- preschools
- nurseries
- school reception classes
Between 0 to 5 your child will start to learn these mostly through games and play. Find out more about early education and how you can support it.
Primary School
These are the key stages taught at primary schools to children 5 to 11 years old.
| Key Stage (KS) | Taught at ages | Taught in |
|---|---|---|
KS1 |
5 to 7 |
year 1 and year 2 |
KS2 |
7 to 11 |
year 3, year 4, year 5, year 6 |
Assessment at this stage
- Teacher assessments in Reception
- Phonics screening check in Year 1
- National tests and teacher assessments in English, maths and science in Year 2
- National tests and teacher assessments in English and maths, and teacher assessments in science in Year 6
By the end of each summer term the school will write a report on your child’s progress and talk it through with you.
In Year 1 your child will take a phonics screening check. This checks how well your child can read words, this is sometimes called decoding.
Some words in the check will be pseudo words, also called 'alien' or 'nonsense' words. These words test how well your child can read the sounds of words they wouldn't have seen before. This helps ensure they're not relying on their memory.
The check takes place in June and 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 your child needs extra help with reading. If your child does not do well enough in the check they’ll do it again in Year 2.
Secondary School
| Key Stage (KS) | Taught at ages | Taught in |
|---|---|---|
KS3 |
11 to 14 |
year 7, year 8, year 9 |
KS4 |
14 to 16 |
year 10 and year 11 |
Assessment at this stage
- Some children take GCSEs in year 10
- Most children take GCSEs or other national qualification in year 11
By the end of each summer term the school will write a report on your child’s progress and talk it through with you.
Compulsory key stage 3 subjects are:
- English
- maths
- science
- history
- geography
- modern foreign languages
- design and technology
- art and design
- music
- physical education
- citizenship
- computing
Schools must provide religious education (RE) and sex education from key stage 3 but you can ask for your children to be taken out of the whole lesson or part of it.
In Key stage 4, most pupils work towards national qualifications like GCSEs.
Subjects are divided into 'core', 'foundation' and then supplementary subjects.
Core subjects:
- English
- maths
- science
Foundation subjects:
- computing
- physical education
- citizenship
And at least one subject from each of these areas:
- arts
- design and technology
- humanities
- modern foreign languages
Schools must also provide religious education (RE) and sex education at key stage 4.
Key stage 5
Key stage 5 is then taught between 16 to 18 a secondary school sixth forms, sixths forms and colleges.
Qualifications and levels
Every qualification has a ‘level’, for example:
- GCSEs
- A levels
- T levels
- National diplomas
- Degrees
- NVQs
There are 9 levels of education ranging from entry level to level 8. Levels might be referred to in job adverts and applications for other educational courses.