Key Stages - The National Curriculum

Age

Year

Key Stage

Assessments

Nursery/
Pre-school

3-4

Early years

4-5

Early years

Reception

Children are assessed for language, communication, literacy and maths

Primary

5-6

1

1

Teachers perform a check using the method of teaching children to read, based on learning the sounds that letters represent

6-7

2

1

Children sit tests in English reading and maths. Their teacher also holds assessments in maths, science and English reading and writing

7-8

3

2

8-9

4

2

Children are tested on their multiplication tables

9-10

5

2

10-11

6

2

As a child enters their last year in primary school, national tests in English reading, maths, grammar, punctuation and spelling are taken. Teachers also assess English writing and science

Secondary

11-12

7

3

12-13

8

3

13-14

9

3

Children choose which GCSE options they are going to study for

14-15

10

4

Some children are able to take GCSE exams

15-16

11

4

Children take GCSEs or other national exams