KS2 National Curriculum (Key stage 2)
Everything taught at key stage 2 in England, subject by subject, with the national tests and their dates.
- Years
- Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6
- Ages
- 7–11
- Compulsory subjects
- 11
- Last checked
- 2026-10-20
English, maths and science programmes of study are split into lower KS2 (years 3–4) and upper KS2 (years 5–6) as guidance only; the legal requirement is to cover years 3–6 content by the end of KS2.
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.
Subjects at KS2
| Subject | Whole key stage | TIP by year |
|---|---|---|
| English Core | KS2 English | Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 |
| Maths Core | KS2 Maths | Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 |
| Science Core | KS2 Science | Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 |
| Art and Design | KS2 Art and Design | Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 |
| Computing | KS2 Computing | Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 |
| Design and Technology | KS2 Design and Technology | Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 |
| Languages | KS2 Languages | Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 |
| Geography | KS2 Geography | Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 |
| History | KS2 History | Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 |
| Music | KS2 Music | Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 |
| PE | KS2 PE | Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 |
Also required in all schools (not part of the national curriculum programmes of study): Religious education – all key stages (locally agreed syllabus); Relationships education (primary), RSE (secondary), health education (all pupils; not independent schools); Daily act of collective worship.
Tests and checks at KS2
Multiplication tables check (MTC) Statutory
Onscreen check: 25 timed questions on tables up to 12 × 12; 6 seconds to answer each question, with a 3-second pause between questions (standard version).
2026 to 2027: 2-week period from Monday 7 June 2027 (catch-up 21–25 June 2027)
Source: GOV.UK · last checked 2026-10-20
Key stage 2 national curriculum tests (SATs) Statutory
2026 to 2027: Monday 10 May – Thursday 13 May 2027
| Paper | Date | Time | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| English grammar, punctuation and spelling Paper 1: questions | Monday 10 May 2027 | 45 minutes | 50 |
| English grammar, punctuation and spelling Paper 2: spelling | Monday 10 May 2027 | approximately 15 minutes (not strictly timed) | 20 |
| English reading | Tuesday 11 May 2027 | 1 hour (3 texts) | 50 |
| Mathematics Paper 1: arithmetic | Wednesday 12 May 2027 | 30 minutes | 40 |
| Mathematics Paper 2: reasoning | Wednesday 12 May 2027 | 40 minutes | 35 |
| Mathematics Paper 3: reasoning | Thursday 13 May 2027 | 40 minutes | 35 |
Timings and marks from the 2026 test administration guidance (2027 guidance is due in March 2027). Test administration guidance
Results available to schools on Tuesday 6 July 2027 (per 2027 ARA)
Source: GOV.UK · last checked 2026-10-20
Key stage 2 teacher assessment (English writing, science) Statutory
Teacher assessment of English writing (externally moderated by local authorities) and science.
2026 to 2027: Writing moderation Monday 7 June – Tuesday 29 June 2027
Source: GOV.UK · last checked 2026-10-20
Later years (from GOV.UK primary assessments: future dates): 2027 to 2028: KS2 tests Monday 8 May – Thursday 11 May 2028; MTC 2 weeks from Monday 5 June 2028; phonics week from Monday 12 June 2028. 2028 to 2029: KS2 tests Monday 14 May – Thursday 17 May 2029; MTC 2 weeks from Monday 4 June 2029; phonics week from Monday 11 June 2029. Primary assessments: future dates says arrangements for 2026 to 2027 are unchanged while future arrangements are reviewed after the Curriculum and Assessment Review.
Other key stages
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.
Questions teachers ask
What subjects are compulsory at KS2?
English, Maths, Science, Art and Design, Computing, Design and Technology, Languages, Geography, History, Music, PE. Religious education, relationships (and sex) education and health education are also required.
What ages and years are KS2?
Years 3, 4, 5, 6, ages 7–11.