Education is delivered through the National Curriculum and is organised on the basis of four key stages. At first sight it can seem extremely complicated but the table below explains the subjects that are compulsory and those that your child may select.
|
Key Stage 1 |
Key Stage 2 |
Key Stage 3 |
Key Stage 4 |
| Age |
5-7 |
7-11 |
11-14 |
14-16 |
| School year groups |
1-2 |
3-6 |
7-9 |
10-11 |
| Core Subjects |
English
Mathematics
Science |
English
Mathematics
Science |
English
Mathematics
Science |
English
Mathematics
Science |
| Non Core Foundation Subjects |
Design and technology
Information and communication technology
History
Geography
Modern Languages
Art
Design
Music
Physical Education |
Design and technology
Information and communication technology
History
Geography
Modern Languages
Art
Design
Music
Physical Education |
Design and technology
Information and communication technology
History
Geography
Modern Languages
Art
Design
Music
Physical Education |
Design and technology
Information and communication technology
History
Geography
Modern Languages
Art
Design
Music
Physical Education |
Core Subjects are compulsory for your child whereas non core foundation subjects may be negotiable from Key stage 3.
History and Geography are Humanities subjects and one of these needs to be selected if your child may consider an American University in the future
The Structure of the National Curriculum
- For each subject and for each key stage, programmes of study set out what your child should be taught.
- Attainment targets set out the expected standard your child should achieve at the end of each Key stage.
Schools choose how they organise and deliver their school curriculum to include the programmes of study.
Options and Subject choice
- At the end of Key Stage 3 (13-14yrs) your child will have to choose the number and GCSE subjects that they will take. The core subjects of Maths, English and Science are compulsory and in the future Information and Communication Technology may become a core subject.
- The number of GCSEs taken varies between 7-10 subjects depending on the academic ability and possibly the tennis training programme of your child, consider these factors with your child when deciding.
- GCSE PE can only be taken in school and not through distance learning
Information on the National Curriculum