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Curriculum Guide for Parents
5 Years and Under
Early Years Foundation Stage
‘Every child deserves the best possible start in life and support to fulfil their potential. A child’s experience in the early years has a major impact on their future chances.’ (EYFS Statutory Framework, 2007)
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) comes into force in September 2008. It applies to children in schools or registered settings from birth to the end of the academic year in which they have their fifth birthday. Among other things, it aims to lay a secure foundation for learning, recognising that children develop in different ways and at different rates. Key aspects of knowledge, skills and understanding are called early learning goals and are grouped into six areas:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communication, Language and Literacy
- Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
- Knowledge and Understanding of the World
- Physical Development
- Creative Development
All six areas of learning are equally important and should be delivered through planned, purposeful play, with a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Practitioners working with children must be sensitive to the individual needs of each child, ensuring that activities are appropriate (stretching children but not pushing them beyond their capabilities). Above all, children should continue to enjoy their learning.
Assessment is an important part of the learning and development process. In the EYFS this is mostly done through ongoing observation of children playing or engaged in self-directed activities. Practitioners record their observations and sum up each child’s achievement on the EYFS Profile, which is reported to parents and local authorities at the end of the foundation stage. This information is also made available to Key Stage 1 teachers to inform subsequent planning when children move into Year 1 (or change schools).
For more information, see the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, Department for Education and Skills (now the Department for Children, Schools and Families), 2007.
5 to 7 Years
Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2 of the primary phase)
The National Curriculum sets out stages and the core subjects that children will be taught at school. There are four key stages (plus the Early Years Foundation Stage for young children). Key Stage 1 includes children who are 5–6 and 6–7 years old (years 1 and 2 of the primary phase).
The National Curriculum is a framework designed to ensure that schools provide a broad and balanced curriculum for all pupils, helping them to develop essential skills, knowledge and attitudes and achieve their full potential. The curriculum sets out:
- subjects to be taught
- knowledge, skills and understanding required in each subject
- standards (attainment targets) in each subject
- how progress will be assessed and reported
Assessment is an important part of the National Curriculum: assessment of learning and assessment for learning. These evaluation processes help teachers plan lessons, identify next steps in learning and monitor children’s progress.
National Curriculum levels can give an indication of what an average child would be expected to achieve at various points in school. Although children develop at different rates, teachers and parents can get an idea of how well a child is doing by comparing his or her attainment with the average expectation for others of a similar age. For example, by the end of Key Stage 1, most children will have reached level 2, and by the end of Key Stage 2, most will be at level 4.
Teacher assessments in English, maths and science are carried out towards the end of Key Stage 1 and results reported to parents and local authorities.
For more information go to www.direct.gov.uk
7 to 11 Years
Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6 of the primary phase)
The National Curriculum sets out stages and the core subjects that children will be taught at school. There are four key stages (plus the Early Years Foundation Stage for young children). Key Stage 2 includes children who are between 7 and 11 years old (years 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the primary phase).
The National Curriculum is a framework designed to ensure that schools provide a broad and balanced curriculum for all pupils, helping them to develop essential skills, knowledge and attitudes and achieve their full potential. The curriculum sets out:
- subjects to be taught
- knowledge, skills and understanding required in each subject
- standards (attainment targets) in each subject
- how progress will be assessed and reported
Assessment is an important part of the National Curriculum: assessment of learning and assessment for learning. These evaluation processes help teachers plan lessons, identify next steps in learning and monitor children’s progress.
National Curriculum levels can give an indication of what an average child would be expected to achieve at various points in school. Although children develop at different rates, teachers and parents can get an idea of how well a child is doing by comparing his or her attainment with the average expectation for others of a similar age. For example, by the end of Key Stage 1, most children will have reached level 2, and by the end of Key Stage 2, most will be at level 4.
At the end of Key Stage 2 children take national tests in English, maths and science (SATs) and results are reported to parents and local authorities.
For more information go to www.direct.gov.uk
