National curriculum

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The national curriculum applies to all children aged between 5 and 16. It provides a structured and assessed education for most subjects taught in schools.

It is divided into the following key stages.

• key stage 1 (ages 5-7)
• key stage 2 (ages 7-11)
• key stage 3 (ages 11-14)
• key stage 4 (ages 14-16)

Visit the National Curriculum website for a more detailed look at how the Curriculum is broken down.

Schools teach Citizenship Education as a subject in the curriculum, in order to provide pupils with knowledge, understanding and skills which prepare them to play an active role as citizens, ensuring that they have a clear understanding of their roles, rights and responsibilities in relation to their local, national and international communities.

Last updated: 27 October 2010