Are you ever confused about what your child is learning at school?  The DCSF has published a free book, ‘Learning Journey’ that gives you a guide to what your child will learn at secondary school. It also gives you tips to help you support your child when they plan their homework and revision. The book contains answers to questions about the curriculum, learning and qualifications. You can get hold of this book by calling the DCSF orderline (0800 0966626). The DCSF has set up a web site for parents, which also has lots of useful resources. You can find it at http://www.parentscentre.gov.uk/

What is the National Curriculum and why does it matter to parents?

(Taken from ‘Learning Journey’)

The National Curriculum:

• sets out the most important knowledge and skills that every pupil has a right to learn
• is a framework given to teachers by government, so that all pupils are taught in a way that is balanced and manageable, but hard enough to challenge themg
• gives standards that measure how well pupils are doing in each subject – so teachers can plan to help them do better.

   

The National Curriculum isn’t just for teachers and schools; it belongs to everyone.

Stages, years, national tests and tasks

The National Curriculum says when things must be taught by describing broad ‘key stages’. Stages are blocks of years.

Key Stage 3 covers National Curriculum learning when your child is aged 11-14 (Years 7-9)

Key Stage 4 covers National Curriculum learning when your child is aged 14-16 (Years 10-11)

Each stage lasts several years and schools are free to organise teaching within this time as they think best. They create their own plans, term by term and year by year.

At the end of the National Curriculum Key Stage 3 your child will sit national tests in English, Maths and Science (popularly known as ‘SATs’). At the end of Key Stage 4 they will sit national examinations, often GCSEs.

Key Stages and National Curriculum Levels

National Curriculum levels measure your child’s progress in each subject. They are like the rungs of a ladder: children move up through the levels as they move up through the school. The National Curriculum Levels are not used for assessment at Key Stage 4.