National Curriculum

The National Curriculum was introduced to ensure that all children in State schools receive the same basic education. Ten subjects must be taught in primary schools. They are divided up into Core and Foundation subjects.

You might have noticed that Religious Education is not on either list. Despite this, it is considered part of the Basic Curriculum and must be taught in all schools in England.

Skills, Understanding and Knowledge

In each of the ten subjects, children are taught Skills, Understanding and Knowledge

Skills

These are things children need to be able to do (for instance, how to weigh things accurately using a set of scales; how to tell the time using a clock; how to look things up in a dictionary.

Understanding

This means having a grasp of basic concepts and ideas (eg, writing conveys meaning; water, ice and steam are all forms of the same substance; the difference between living, dead and non-living).

Knowledge

This means knowing things "off by heart" (for example, historical dates; countries in Europe; how to spell common words). So, your child might have the skill of being able to multiply 8 by 6, know that they equal 48, and understand that multiplication is a process of repeated addition.

Progression

Although your child will move through school year by year, the National Curriculum is arranged in broader segments called Key Stages.

Key Stage One covers what a child aged from 5-7 should know.
Key Stage Two covers what a child aged from 7-11 should know.

Children are assessed when they enter infant school to see what skills, strengths and weaknesses they have. They are given National Tests at ages seven and eleven. Parents are told what Level their children have achieved in these tests so they can see how well they are doing relative to the national average.