What are the Key Stages? A Guide to National Curriculum Key Stages in UK

In the United Kingdom, the educational programme comprises the key stages. Schools in England follow the national curriculum key stages. This curriculum aims to provide the best degree of knowledge to the students at different academic levels. In this guide, we will focus on these key stages and how the national curriculum key stages work.

What are the Key Stages?

According to the national curriculum, the key stages are the structure of the educational sector in the UK. These key stages cover primary and secondary education. Starting from key stage 1 to key stage 4, it covers an individual’s 11 years of schooling in the United Kingdom. There are specific milestones that every single child has to achieve. Pursuing primary and secondary education is necessary for every individual. 

For every UK key stage, there is a defined syllabus and courses. During these years of education, there are specific exams that every pupil has to pass. These exams include SATs year 2, SATs year 6, 11 Plus exam and GCSE exam. Besides academics, new skills are taught to every student according to the key stage curriculum. The main goal of these national curriculum key stages is to track the child’s excellence in his academics and co-curricular activities. 

What is Key Stage 1?

Key stage 1 comprises the early years of primary schooling. Year 1 and Year 2 collectively make the key stage 1. The duration of key stage 1  is of two years. The age range of the pupil is 5 to 7 years at the level of key stage 1.

In year 1 and year 2, there are specified courses assigned to the students. In year 2, the students attempt the SAT exam. This exam highlights the pupil’s capabilities, unlike the other exams confined to a pass or fail criteria. The exam covers English, science and mathematics. However, the pupils need tutoring for the preparation of SATs 1. You must check out the Key Stage 1 tuition in Redbridge to help your child through early primary school years.

 What is Key stage 2?

From year 3 to year 6, the pupil of primary schooling falls under the umbrella of key stage 2. Pupils of age 7-11 are competent for key stage 2. This stage comprises pupils of year 3, year 4, year 5 and year 6. These years are the final years of primary schooling according to the national curriculum key stages. 

Generally, the students in year 4 and year 5 begin to prepare for the 11 plus exam. The main subjects of 11 plus are

• English
• Math
• Verbal reasoning
• Non-verbal reasoning 

At the end of the year 6, students attempt this exam as this is necessary for admission in year 7 of grammar school

What is Key Stage 3?

The first phase of secondary schooling is also known as key stage 3. From year 7 to year 9, a new curriculum is provided to the students. This level of education comes with new challenges.

The pupil at Key stage 3 falls in the age range of 11-14 years. During this phase, the individual began to explore advanced concepts. Key stage 3 is the most significant phase of a student’s life as this is when necessary skills are taught to them. These skills are essential for increasing their potential. The potential that is required to pass the GCSE exam.

What is Key Stage 4?

Key stage 4 (GCSE) consists of the last years of secondary education. It comprises the educational level of year 10 and year 11. The age range of pupils at key stage 4 falls in the range of 14-16 years.

Year 10  is the time when the students are just one step behind the GCSE exam. At the end of Year 11, every student attempts the GCSE exam to pursue further education. The main courses of GCSE exam are

• English 
• Maths
• Science

For the preparation for the GCSE exam, there is a need for the productive assistance of professional tutoring.  

Is there a need for tutoring for the national key stages curriculum?

The year groups tutoring programme are beneficial for the academic career. There are pretty reliable platforms that offer tutoring for the national curriculum of England. Based on our knowledge, the most reliable medium of tutoring is Online tuition. Online tutoring is the most suitable medium as:

• It’s affordable.
• Online tuition Comes with effective tutoring programmes.
• Regular assessments. 
• Students can learn at their own pace.
• They are facilitating the parents by providing them with the progress report of their child.

Moreover, during the national curriculum key stages, there will be a time when you will be hiring a tutor. Hiring a tutor aims to enhance the individual’s performance in SATs, 11 Plus and GCSE exams. The UK key stages are the minimum level of education offered to every individual in the UK. Moreover, he must be competent enough to cover the key stage curriculum.

If you are looking for online tutoring, Adnan Khan Tutoring provides the best online tutoring services. We have designed the tutoring programme according to the syllabus of the national curriculum key stages. Moreover, our excellence in the preparation of SATs, 11 plus and GCSE reflects our input. We are here to assist you throughout your child’s academic career.

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