National Curriculum in England
Key stages, year groups and subjects at a glance, with links to every programme of study and TIP pack.
Key stages
| Stage | Years | Ages |
|---|---|---|
| Early years foundation stage | Nursery, Reception | birth–5 (reception: 4–5) |
| Key stage 1 | Year 1, Year 2 | 5–7 |
| Key stage 2 | Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 | 7–11 |
| Key stage 3 | Year 7, Year 8, Year 9 | 11–14 |
| Key stage 4 | Year 10, Year 11 | 14–16 |
Ages are the ages pupils turn during the school year (September–August); a pupil is in Year 1 in the school year they turn 6.
Is the national curriculum changing?
Current. The government response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review (Nov 2025) says a revised national curriculum will be published by spring 2027 for first teaching from September 2028. Government response (GOV.UK)
Also statutory
- Relationships education, relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education – statutory guidance (in force from 01/09/2026)
- Religious education (RE)
- Personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE)
- Daily act of collective worship
- Key stage 4 entitlement areas
Teaching one year group?
Use the TIP finder: type "Year 4 maths" or "ks3 science" and get the pack for your class.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright. Sources: Department for Education and Standards and Testing Agency pages on GOV.UK.
Statements in the curriculum lists are copied word for word from GOV.UK; everything else on this page (headings, notes, summaries) is written by us. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department for Education or the Standards and Testing Agency. Always check the official documents linked on this page.