The national curriculum

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Key stage 1 and 2

Compulsory national curriculum subjects at primary school are:

  • English
  • maths
  • science
  • design and technology
  • history
  • geography
  • art and design
  • music
  • physical education (PE), including swimming
  • computing
  • ancient and modern foreign languages (at key stage 2)

Primary schools must also provide:

Schools often also teach:

Year 1 phonics screening check

The check will take place in June when your child will read 40 words out loud to a teacher. The teacher will tell you how your child did, and will decide whether they need extra help with reading. If your child does not do well enough in the check they’ll have to do it again in Year 2.

Year 2 (key stage 1)

Schools can choose whether they want to do any tests or assessments. If they do, the school will tell you. Tests will normally be held in May.

Tests will cover:

• English reading
• English grammar, punctuation and spelling
• maths

Teacher assessments will cover:

• English reading
• English writing
• maths
• science

Year 4 (key stage 2)

Your child will be tested on their times tables at the end of year 4.

Your child will answer 25 questions to check if they know their times tables up to 12. There’s no pass mark, but teachers will share your child’s score with you and use it to decide if they need any extra help with maths.

Year 6 (key stage 2)

Your child will be assessed at the end of year 6.

National tests (previously known as SATs) will cover:

• English reading
• English grammar, punctuation and spelling
• maths

The tests last less than 4 hours. They’re normally in May. You’ll get the results in July.

Teacher assessments will cover:

• English writing
• science

The school will send you the results of your child’s tests and teacher assessments.

When your child might be assessed in a different way

If your child is working below the standard of the curriculum, teachers may assess them using the engagement model or pre-key stage standards instead.