THE CURRICULUM

In the UK the curriculum is broadly divided into six defined ‘phases’, these are: EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 and Post 16 (sometimes called KS5).  EYFS to KS4 are classed as the compulsory period that a child has to attend school and Post 16 is classed as non-compulsory education.

There is a lot of very useful guidance on all matters related to compulsory education on the National Strategy website: http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk

Subject guidance and syllabus content is also available from www.qcda.gov.uk and from the examination boards’ websites, some, but not all of which are listed below:

The EYFS Curriculum (birth – age 5)
In EYFS there are 6 core areas of learning, which are:

• CLL                 Communication, Language & Literacy
• KUW               Knowledge & Understanding of the World
• PD                  Physical development
• CD                  Creative development
• PSE                Personal, Social & Emotional development
• PSRN             Problem solving, Reasoning & Numeracy 

http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/earlyyears 

Exemplar assessment materials for EYFS, i.e. Foundation Stage Profile document can be found in PDF form in the tab on this website labelled ‘Assessment’ 

The National Curriculum

The NC is divided into statutory and non-statutory subjects/areas of learning.  Statutory elements are called the ‘Core’ subjects; non-statutory elements are called ‘Foundation’ subjects. 

KS1

KS2

http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/primary

KS3

KS4

Information regarding publications related to the secondary KS3 and 4 curriculum can be obtained by visiting: www.qcda.gov.uk 

Post 16/KS5

The post 16 curriculum is wide ranging and offers a chance for pupils to specialise in subjects that are of particular interest to them and that will enable them to enter the world of work or Higher Education.  

Pupils/students/young people study a range of qualifications and some of these are listed below:

• A & AS level/Pre U
• IB (International Baccalaureate)
• Vocational Diplomas
• NVQs L3+ (National Vocational Qualifications)

Information regarding publications related to the Post 16 curriculum can also be obtained by visiting: www.qcda.gov.uk