Primary School
Primary School
British Primary School
The British Primary School curriculum has been designed in a format where students are expected to achieve certain standards at the end of each key stage, rather than each academic year. The British curriculum is sensitive to the fact that developmentally students progress at different stages and hence the aims are achieved over a number of academic years.
You can access the full British Primary Year Curriculum on the UK, Department of Education official website.
How can we help?
At Feynman Education we understand that students perform differently across each academic discipline. If students need support with their phonics, our in house speech and language therapist can be on hand to create a more seamless understanding of blending digraphs and trigraphs. For numeracy and science, our academic specialists are experienced not only with guiding students through their curriculums but also creating fun and dynamic challenges to keep them passionate, intrigued and engaged.
Frequently asked questions
The British National Curriculum is a formal set of education standards carefully curated by the British Department of Education. It spans a range of subjects and notes the progression within each discipline the students should make during a Key Stage (approximately 3 to 4 academic years). The curriculum is regularly updated and adapted to ensure the material covered is relevant, expansive and appropriate.
The British Curriculum strives to achieve two aims:
- To provide students the adequate foundations to become educated citizens, by focusing on not only building fundamental academic knowledge but also celebrating human creativity and achievements.
- Not to limit breadth of knowledge by incorporating enough time for individuals to explore far beyond the realms of the guidelines. It provides an outline of core knowledge that teachers follow whilst allowing them the freedom to design exciting and stimulating lessons in order to communicate this information. It heavily encourages the development of pupils’ knowledge, understanding and skills outside of the classroom, balancing academics with moral, cultural, spiritual, mental and physical development.
It is recommended for children to start their Early Years Foundation schooling (EYFS) at the age of three, however formal education is not compulsory until the age of four. At the age of four students will begin Reception Class, which is the second year of the EYFS program.
The British Curriculum is separated into year groups and key stages as detailed below:
| Age | Year Group | Key Stage | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
3 - 4 years | Early Years Foundation | N/A | |
4 - 5 years | Reception | Early Years Foundation | Teacher assessment but no formal exam |
5 - 6 years | Year 1 | Key Stage 1 | Phonics screening |
6 - 7 years | Year 2 | Key Stage 1 | National tests (previously referred to as the SAT exams).
Teacher assessments for English, Maths and Science |
7 - 8 years | Year 3 | Key Stage 2 | End of year, internal school assessments |
8 - 9 years | Year 4 | Key Stage 2 | End of year, internal school assessments |
9 - 10 years | Year 5 | Key Stage 2 | End of year, internal school assessments |
10 - 11 years | Year 6 | Key Stage 2 | National tests (previously referred to as the SAT exams).
Teacher assessments for English, Maths and Science |
11 - 12 years | Year 7 | Key Stage 3 | End of year, internal school assessments |
12 - 13 years | Year 8 | Key Stage 3 | End of year, internal school assessments |
13 - 14 years | Year 9 | Key Stage 3 | End of year, internal school assessments |
14 - 15 years | Year 10 | Key Stage 4 | Some early GCSE formal exams can be taken |
15 - 16 years | Year 11 | Key Stage 4 | The majority of GCSE exams are taken. This is the final year of compulsory education in the UK. |
16 - 17 years | Year 12 | Sixth form or College | A Levels (AS Levels), IB or college based exams |
17 - 18 years | Year 13 | Sixth form or College | A Levels (AS Levels), IB or college based exams |
Yes. Each academic year will focus primarily on Mathematics (numeracy) and English Language and Literature (literacy). Science, languages and other humanities will also be covered during the year through creative and interactive means.
There is an expectation that students will reach a certain set of standards by the end of each Key Stage which is usually when more formal assessment for both Mathematics and English will take place. Most schools will also require students to sit regular tests to assess progress and understanding at various points throughout the year, with usually a more content heavy exam at the end of the academic year, however this may vary between schools.
