Schools and learning

Key Stages and the National Curriculum

All pupils aged 5 to 16 in state schools must be taught the National Curriculum.

This is divided into four 'Key Stages' which depend upon children's ages (at the end of the school year) :

Key Stage 1 is reception, years 1 and 2 (5 to 7 yrs old)

Key Stage 2 is year groups 3 to 6 (ages 8 to 11)

Key Stage 3 is year groups 7 to 9 (ages 12 to 14)

Key Stage 4 is year groups 10 and 11 (ages 15 and 16)

Year Groups 12 and 13 (ages 17 and 18) are referred to as Post 16.

Which subjects are studied?

Each stage has its own programme of study, targets and assessment arrangements. You can find out about the different subjects taught throughout your child's academic career by viewing the table below.

More detailed information about a specific National Curriculum subject can be found on the Hertfordshire Grid for Learning website. You will find a link on this page.

Other subjects taught at KS3 and KS4 may include religious education, sex education and careers education.

Most secondary schools in Hertfordshire have Sixth Forms which teach a wide range of subjects at GNVQ and AS/A2 Level.

Standards of achievement

The National Curriculum set standards of achievement in each subject for pupils aged 5 to 14. For most subjects, these standards range from levels 1 to 8. Pupils climb up the levels as they get older and learn more :

most 7 year olds are expected to achieve level 2

most 11 year olds are expected to achieve level 4

most 14 year olds are expected to achieve 5 and 6

Teacher assessment

All teachers check their pupils' progress in each subject as a normal part of their teaching. They must also assess pupils' progress in English, mathematics and science against the National Curriculum standards when pupils reach the end of each key stage. The teacher decides which level best describes a pupils performance in each area of learning in that subject. Teachers use their knowledge of the work pupils have done throughout the year in class to judge the pupil's progress.

Key Stage Tests

Pupils must also take national tests at the end of each key stage. These show a pupil's performance in selected parts of a subject on a particular day. At the end of Key Stage 2 pupils are tested in English, mathematics and science. These tests give an independent measure of how pupils and schools are doing compared with national standards in these subjects. Go to the link on this page for more information.

Nursery Education

Nursery education is not statutory, although Hertfordshire supports the parental right to nursery education with 16 nursery schools and over 300 nursery classes within our primary schools.

Foundation Stage and Early Learning Goals

These goals are set for most children to reach by the end of the foundation stage (i.e. before KS1). They are organised into six main areas and provide the basis for planning throughout the foundation stage, making a solid basis for future learning. By the end of the foundation stage, some children will have exceeded the goals, whilst others will still be working to some or all of them. Baseline assessment occurs when your child enters a reception class. Go to the link on this page for more information.