Get in touch

Curriculum

The National Curriculum

A ‘curriculum’ is a list of content to be taught and learnt – a course of study for schools, colleges and universities. From September 2014, schools in England follow a new National Curriculum - a course of study decided by the Department for Education.

Structure of the National Curriculum

At Newchurch St Nicholas Primary school, there are three phases in total:

Early Years: ages 4-5 (Reception); the National Curriculum does not cover this phase. For details of the Early Years Foundation Stage’s seven areas of learning and the 17 early learning goals, (see document below)
Key Stage 1: ages 5-7 (Years 1-2)
Key Stage 2: ages 7-11 (Years 3-6)

For Key Stages 1 and 2, there are three core subjects:

English (spoken language, reading, writing, including grammar and punctuation)
Mathematics (including number and place value, calculations, fractions, measurements, geometry)
Science (including ‘working scientifically’)

In addition, there are foundation subjects; for Key Stages 1 and 2, these are:

art and design
computing
design and technology (DT)
geography
history
music
physical education (PE)
religious education (RE)

A language is also a foundation subject in Key Stage 2 – we have been teaching French to children from year 3 to year 6.

To view the National Curriculum Programmes of Study for each subject ( and your child’s year group) click here https://www.gov.uk/national-curriculum