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Curriculum and Examinations
For excellent information about the National Curriculum visit
these sections of the Department for Children, Schools and Families website and the Directgov website.
www.teachernet.gov.uk/
and www.direct.gov.uk/
|
At a glance guide| School | Age | Stage | Examinations | Subjects |
| Nursery and Pre-school | 3 and 4 | None | ||
| Primary - Infant | 5 to 7. | Key Stage 1 | National Curriculum test | English & Mathematics |
| Primary - Junior | 8 to 11 | Key Stage 2 | National Curriculum test | English & Mathematics |
| Secondary | 11
to 14
| Key
Stage 3
| National Curriculum test | English, Mathematics & Science |
| Secondary | 15 to 16 | Key
Stage 4 (2 year course)
|
General Certificate
of Secondary Education
- GCSE Examinations
Need to achieve grade A to C in 5 subjects to progress to GCE Advanced Level (A-Level) or other equivalent course.
| up
to 10 subjects
but usually between 5 and 8 subjects |
| Secondary
or 6th Form College or Technical School | 17 to 18 | 2 year course | General
Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced
Level A-Level Examinations (or equivalent) Required for University entry. | 3
or 4 subjects
|
An overview of the School Curriculum and Examinations
All mainstream schools (but NOT International Schools) have to follow the National Curriculum which is divided into four key stages relevant to each age group. The core subjects are English and Mathematics. Science is included for stages 2 and 3.
Other subjects in the curriculum are Technology (including Information Technology), History, Geography, Modern Foreign Language, Art & Design, Music, and Physical Education, Religous Education and Citizenship. These are not tested as part of the first 2 key stages of the National Curriculum but schools are free to perform their own tests.
At the end of each Key Stage (Years 2, 6 and 9 in which your child is going to be 7, 11 or 14) all pupils are entered for the national tests and teacher assessments. The tests give an independent measure of how pupils and schools are doing compared with the national standards in these subjects.
School
Reports
At least once a year schools must give parents a written report on how their children are doing in all subjects. This report will also explain how parents can arrange to discuss comments in the report with their teachers.
If a child is 7, 11, or 14, the report will also include their results in the national tests. It will show how these results compare with other children of the same age. The report will also give the results of any public examinations, such as GCSEs, that the child has taken during the year
KEY STAGE 1 (Year 2 - age 7)
In Year 2 your child will do Key Stage tasks and tests in English and mathematics, which are designed to fit into normal classroom activities. Most children will be able to do the tasks that are set for them, and many children will also take the tests. Your child can complete the tasks between January and June, and take the tests at any time during May.
KEY STAGE 2 (Year 6 - age 11) and KEY STAGE 3 (Year 9 - age 14)
In Years 6 and 9 your child is tested in English, mathematics and science. The questions are the same for all children in the year. Schools can use the results from the tests to compare the progress of their pupils with that of children in other schools. If necessary, teachers can then change the way their pupils are being taught.
KEY STAGE 4 (years 10 and 11 - age 14 to 16)
Students
study up to 10 subjects for their GCSE Examinations (General Certificate
of Secondary Education).
The results are graded A to F. E is a pass and B is considered
a good pass. School performances are measured on the number of passes
of grade C and above. At least 5 passes at grade A to C are
needed for students to go on to higher education.
Qualifications
For information on UK educational qualifications visit www.direct.gov.uk
The
UK National Academic Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC)
provides an advisory service for those who have to relate overseas
academic qualifications to qualifications awarded in the UK. Their
address and telephone number are as follows:
UK NARIC, Oriel House, Oriel Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
GL50 1XP
tel: +44 (0)871 330 7033
fax: +44 (0)871 330 7005
email: info@naric.org.uk
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