What is Key Stage 2? By Key Stage Two.com

During a child’s time at primary school, they will study a range of subjects.  As a parent, knowing about the National Curriculum at key Stages 1 and 2 can really help you support your child’s learning and education.

The National Curriculum, which is taught to all pupils in state or maintained schools, is made up of key stages:

-Years one and two of primary school complete Key Stage 1

-Years three to six of primary school complete Key Stage 2

Obligatory National Curriculum subjects are the same for both Key Stages,  1 and 2.  They are

-English

-Maths

-Science

-Design and technology

-Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

-History

-Geography

-Art and design

-Music

-Physical education

Schools are required to teach ‘Religious Education’, although parents are permitted to withdraw their own children from this education if they desire.  In addition to R.E, schools are advised to teach personal, social and health education (PSHE) and citizenship, together with at least one modern foreign language.

Individual schools may teach these subjects under different names, and may teach more than one subject together under the same name.  As long as the school is teaching as per the specified National Curriculum rules, this is acceptable.   

National Curriculum levels

At Key Stages 1, 2, and 3, the National Curriculum is accompanied by a series of eight levels. These are used to measure your child's progress compared to pupils of the same age across the country.

All schools assess pupils’ progress during the school year, though some make more frequent use of the National Curriculum levels than others.  Parent teacher evenings and school reports provide information about the level your child has reached academically.

Your child will be formally assessed at the end of Key Stages 1 and 2. At the end of Key Stage 1, the teacher’s assessment of your child’s progress will take account of their performance in several tasks and tests in English and maths.

At the end of Key Stage 2, your child will take national tests in English, maths and science.  As a parent, you will be sent their test results and their teacher’s assessment detailing their progress.

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.

The Primary Framework for literacy and mathematics.

The Primary National Strategy is a set of tools for primary schools, to assist them in raising standards and delivering the curriculum more effectively.

The Primary Framework for literacy and mathematics is a central part of the scheme. While the focus is on literacy and numeracy, schools can use the approaches it recommends to support teaching, learning and assessment across the curriculum as whole.

Developing literacy skills

As well as reading and writing, literacy involves the development speaking and listening skills. The framework encourages teachers to use a variety of approaches to teaching literacy. It recommends regular, dedicated literacy lessons, but recognises that pupils can also develop literacy skills while they learn about other subjects in the curriculum.

The framework encourages teachers to put a greater emphasis on using ‘phonics’. It also stresses the part you play as a parent in helping your child to develop their literacy skills.

Developing maths skills

The framework recommends a daily maths lesson, providing guidance for schools on how to develop pupils’ mathematical thinking and number skills.

As with literacy, schools are encouraged to use a variety of approaches. Published in October 2006, the latest version of the framework puts more emphasis on mental maths. It recommends that children should develop their recall of multiplication tables earlier, with a focus on understanding and application.

The strategy also sets out a suite of catch-up programmes designed to help pupils in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 who have fallen behind. Parents are encouraged to get involved in developing their child’s numeracy skills as much as possible.

Have you got a child undertaking KS2 education?  Why not join http://www.keystagetwo.com

It is a virtual learning environment that successfully manages to combine fun games with education, whilst concentrating on the subjects your child is learning in school to help boost their grades in a fun and engaging way.  KeyStageTwo.com is National Curriculum compliant and is now being used in schools and homes throughout Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales. 

Now taking sign-ups for November 2011 at http://www.keystagetwo.com or try the Demo at http://www.keystagetwo.com/demo

What is Key Stage 2? The National Curriculum and Key Stages in England

This information, brought to you by Key Stage Two.com looks at the National Curriculum and the Key Stages in state schools across England.

Firstly, what is the National Curriculum?

State schools in England must teach a certain range of subjects according to targets set by the National Curriculum. This was established in 1989 to ensure the same standards of teaching and education is delivered across the nation.

The National Curriculum covers learning for all children aged 5-16 in state schools, and defines:

•             Which subjects should be taught.

•             The knowledge, skills and understanding a child should achieve in each subject (depending to your pupil’s age).

•             Targets - so teachers can measure how well the pupils is performing in each subject.

•             How information on the pupil’s progress should be passed on to the parents.

What are the Key Stages?

The National Curriculum is made up of four Key Stages that children are taken through during their school life. For example, Key Stage 1 is taught during Years 1 and 2 of primary school. Targets defined in the National Curriculum are assessed at the end of each Key Stage.

The four Key Stages

Key Stage 1         Ages 5-7               Years 1 and 2

Key Stage 2         Ages 7-11            Years 3, 4, 5 and 6

Key Stage 3         Ages 11-14          Years 7, 8 and 9

Key Stage 4         Ages 14-16          Years 10 and 11

What are programmes of study?

Programmes of study set out what teachers should cover in every subject during each Key Stage.

There are also four general teaching requirements, which apply across all subjects.

Teachers should:

•             Use language effectively

•             Use information and communication technology (ICT) effectively

•             Follow health and safety guidelines

•             Provide teaching that includes different ethnic minority viewpoints

If you are involved with Key Stage Two education, then why not join http://www.keystagetwo.com ?

It is a virtual learning environment that successfully manages to combine fun games with education, whilst concentrating on the subjects children are learning in school to help boost their grades in a fun and engaging way.  KeyStageTwo.com is National Curriculum compliant and is now being used in schools and homes throughout Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales. 

Now taking sign-ups for November 2011 at http://www.keystagetwo.com or try the Demo at http://www.keystagetwo.com/demo

What is Key Stage 2?

Key Stage Two is the legal term for the 4 years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales, known as Year’s 3, 4, 5 & 6, when pupils are aged between 7 and 11. The term is applied differently in Northern Ireland where it refers to pupils in Year’s 5, 6 and 7.

In England and Wales the term is defined in the Education Act 2002 as "the period beginning at the same time as the school year in which the majority of pupils in his class attain the age of eight and ending at the same time as the school year in which the majority of pupils in his class attain the age of eleven" This Key Stage normally covers pupils during junior schools, although in some cases part or all of this stage may fall in a middle, or a through primary school.

Purpose in England and Wales

The term is used to define the group of pupils who must follow the relevant programmes of study from the National Curriculum. All pupils in this Key Stage must follow a programme of education in at least 11 areas:

·         English

·         Mathematics

·         Science

·         Information and Communication Technology

·         Design Technology

·         History

·         Geography

·         Art and Design

·         Music

·         Physical Education

·         Religious Education

At the end of this stage, pupils aged 11 - in Year 6 - are tested as part of the national programme of National Curriculum Tests, known as SATs. These tests cover English and Mathematics, and are externally marked, with results for each school being published in DfES (Department for Education and Skills, U.K)  performance tables.

In Northern Ireland the term is defined in The Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 as "the period beginning at the same time as the next school year after the end of key stage 1 and ending at the same time as the school year in which the majority of pupils in his class complete three school years in that key stage". Notably, the foundation stage and Key Stage 1 are defined as lasting for four years in total from the start of compulsory education.

Purpose in Northern Ireland

The term is used to define the group of pupils who must follow the relevant programmes of study from the National Curriculum. All pupils in this Key Stage must follow a programme of education in the six areas of learning in the curriculum:

·         Language and Literacy

·         Mathematics and Numeracy

·         The Arts

·         The World Around Us

·         Personal Development and Mutual Understanding

·         Physical Education

·         Modern Foreign Languages

Have you got a child undertaking Key Stage Two education, aged between 7 and 11? 

If so, why not join http://www.keystagetwo.com

It is a virtual learning environment that successfully manages to combine fun games with education, whilst concentrating on the subjects your child is learning in school to help boost their grades in a fun and engaging way. 

KeyStageTwo.com is National Curriculum compliant and is now being used in schools and homes throughout Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales.  Now taking sign-ups for September 2011 at http://www.keystagetwo.com or try the Demo at http://www.keystagetwo.com/demo

Good Luck for the new term folks!