Learning in London and the UK is divided into Key stages specifically designed for age groups ranging from age 2 years – Post compulsory education (age 16 years).  This ensures that schools on a country-wide basis all follow the same National Curriculum.  Listed below are the different phases, ages, curriculum stages and the assessment methods used at each point in a child’s/young person’s school career.

Year 0 & 4
Birth--->Age 4

Year R (Reception)
Age 4--->5
EYFS curriculum

FS Profile Scores

Year 1 & 2
Age 5--->7
National Curriculum KS1
(Infant/Primary School)

End of KS1 Year 2 SATs (L2B)

Year 3 & 4
Age 7--->9
National Curriculum KS2
(Junior/Primary School)


(L3)

Year 5 & 6
Age 9--->11
National  Curriculum KS2
(Junior/Primary School)

End of KS2 Year 6 SATS (L4)

Year 7, 8 & 9
Age 11--->14
Level 1 qualification

National  Curriculum KS3
(Secondary school)
End of Year 9 testing

Year 10 & 11
Age 14--->16
Level 2 qualification
National Curriculum KS4

CGSE
IB
Vocational
NVQ (L2)
NNEB

Year 13
Age 17--->18
Year 12
Age 16--->17
(Sixth Form)
Level 3 qualification
KS5/Post 16

A & AS level/Pre U
IB (1^st & 2^nd Year)
Diploma (1^st & 2^nd Year)
Vocational (1^st & 2^nd Year)
NVQ (L3) (1^st & 2^nd Year)

Undergraduate
Age 18--->21
Level 4

First Degree
Foundation Degree
NVQ (L4)

Postgraduate
Age 21+
Level 5

PGCE
Masters Degree
PhD
NVQ (L5)