Your 5 to 11-year-old and the National Curriculum

Key Stages 1 and 2 – what is your child learning at school?

Key Stage 1 = 5 to 7 years old
Key Stage 2 = 7 to 11 years old

• English
• Maths
• Science
• Design and technology
• Information and communication technology (ICT)
• History
• Geography
• Art and design
• Music
• Physical education

Schools also have to teach Religious education, although you have the right to choose if your child attends these lessons. Schools are also advised to teach Personal, social and health education (PSHE) and a foreign language.

Remember that the move to secondary school is a big one and your child will need your support.

• Communication
• Application of number
• Information technology
• Working with others
• Improving own learning and performance
• Problem solving

There are lots of fun ways to learn and you can help with this.

To develop maths skills:

• counting with pocket money
• helping with shopping (weighing food , comparing prices etc)
• playing car number plate games on long journeys
• cooking – measuring and weighing
• working out how tall they are.

Reading at home is the most important way that parents can help their child.

To develop reading and writing skills:

• when reading, ask lots of question about the story
• use picture dictionaries for new words
• encourage children to use libraries
• use fridge letters to spell out words
• label things around the house
• write out sentences for them to copy.

Yes, there are 8 levels that are used to see how children are doing at school. You will be told what level they are at. Remember that these stages are just a way to show how your child is doing compared to other children of the same age. They will be tested on:

• reading
• writing
• speaking and listening
• Maths
• Science.

By the end of key Stage 1, most children will have reached level 2.
By the end of key Stage 2, most children will have reached level 4.
Each level also has different sections, a, b and c. 'c' means the lowest achievement at any one level, 'b' the middle and 'a' the top. It is another way to see how your child is improving.

Every child is unique and will learn differently. Try to encourage interesting and fun ways of learning. This will be educational but will also help to develop your relationship with your child. You never know, you may learn something too!