What is the National Curriculum?

The National Curriculum is the agenda for teaching and learning in schools.  It establishes the subjects taught and the knowledge, skills and understanding required for each subject.  It also sets standards for each subject, outlining targets that children should be encouraged to achieve.  Additionally, the National Curriculum determines the assessment methods that are used to measure children’s progress. 

Schools have the opportunity to choose how to best teach the National Curriculum to their pupils, and to create their own lesson plans and learning methods according to their pupils’ individual requirements. 

The National Curriculum is determined and developed by the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA).  The QCDA is part of the Department for Children, Schools and Family.  As well as setting the National Curriculum, the QCDA arranges assessments, exams and tests, and makes decisions about the qualifications that pupils can take. 

Subjects taught at each Key Stage

Children in Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7) and Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11) must study the following subjects:

• Art and design
• Design and technology
• English
• Geography
• History
• Information and communication technology
• Mathematics
• Music
• Physical education
• Religious education
• Science.
   

 Children in Key Stage 3 must study the following subjects:

• Art and design
• Citizenship
• Design and technology
• English
• Geography
• History
• Information and communication technology
• Mathematics
• Modern foreign languages
• Music
• Physical education
• Science
• Careers education
• Sex education
• Religious education.
   

 Children in Key Stage 4 must study the following subjects:

• Citizenship
• English
• Information and communication technology
• Mathematics
• Physical education
• Science
• Careers education
• Sex education
• Work-related learning
• Religious eduction.