Education in the UK is divided into: primary, secondary, further and higher education. All children aged five to sixteen have to attend school and follow the four compulsory Key Stages of the National Curriculum of England and Wales.

The fifth Key stage is an optional advanced level that pupils work towards in the post 16 high school phase of education.













www.nc.uk.net

The structure of the UK National Curriculum

For each subject and for each key stage, the Programmes of Study (PoS) set out what should be taught. Attainment targets (ATs) set out the expected standard of pupil’s performance. It is for schools to choose how they organize their school curriculum to include the PoS.

Programmes of study
The PoS set out what pupils should be taught in each subject at each key stage, and provide the basis of planning schemes of work. When planning, schools should also consider the four general teaching requirements that apply across the PoS.

General requirements
There are four general teaching requirements:

• Inclusion: providing effective learning opportunities for all children;
• Use of language across the curriculum;
• Use of ICT across the curriculum;
• Health and safety

More Information on the UK National Curriculum
www.nc.uk.net/about_the_nc.html