Education in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Children and young people in state schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have to follow the National Curriculum for that country. The National Curriculum is divided into Key Stages. The Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stages 1 and 2 are normally covered in primary schools and Key Stages 3 and 4 in secondary schools. Young people aged 16 and over do not follow the National Curriculum and can choose from a wide range of courses to study in schools and colleges.

England and Wales

Early Years Foundation Stage covers children from birth to age 5 and includes Nursery and Reception classes
Key Stage 1 is covered in Years 1 and 2
Key Stage 2 is covered in Years 3-6
Key Stage 3 is covered in Years 7-9
Key Stage 4 is covered in Years 10 and 11

In England, education from 14 to 19 is increasingly being considered as a single phase. 14-19 Diplomas are being introduced in some work related subjects at three levels (Foundation, Higher and Advanced). Diplomas in Engineering, IT, Construction, Society, Health and Development and Creative and Media were introduced in September 2008. Addidional Diplomas will be introduced over the next few years.

Northern Ireland

Pre-school is for children aged up to 4
Foundation Stage comprises Years 1 and 2
Key Stage 1 is covered in Years 3 and 4
Key Stage 2 is covered in Years 5-7
Key Stage 3  is covered in Years 8-10
Key Stage 4 is covered in Years 11 and 12

Scotland

Curriculum for Excellence is being introduced for children aged 3 -18
Children aged 5-14 at primary school and S1 and S2 of secondary school follow the 5-14 guidelines
Years 3 and 4 at secondary schools normally study for Standard Grades
Years 5 and 6 study National Courses (at 7 levels; Access 1 to Advanced Higher)

Useful Websites

England
www.nc.uk.net   Information on all National Curriculum subjects
www.parentcentre.gov.uk   Information to help you help your child

Wales
http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills   Information on learning from early years to adult learning

Scotland
www.ltscotland.org.uk/5to14/index.asp   Information on primary and lower secondary education
www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/education   Information on learning in schools, colleges, universities and life long learning
www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk   Developing partnerships between parents and schools

Northern Ireland
www.nicurriculum.org.uk   Information on the curriculum from Foundation Stage to Key Stage 4
www.ccea.org.uk   The curriculum and its assessment from Foundation Stage to Key Stage 4