The British Curriculum for Primary Schools.

What Is the British National Curriculum?

The British National Curriculum is the framework that sets out what children in state-maintained schools in England must learn. It covers the subjects taught, the standards children are expected to reach, and how they're assessed.

It applies to all state schools in England. Academies and independent schools aren't legally required to follow it, but most use it as a benchmark — and British international schools worldwide typically follow it closely.

The curriculum is divided into key stages, each covering a specific age range and set of year groups.

Key Stages at Primary Level

Core and Foundation Subjects

The National Curriculum divides subjects into core and foundation categories. Core subjects receive the most teaching time and are formally assessed.

Core Subjects

• English — reading, writing, grammar, punctuation, spelling and spoken language
• Mathematics — number, measurement, geometry, statistics and algebra (from Year 6)
• Science — working scientifically, biology, chemistry and physics concepts

Foundation Subjects

• Art and Design
• Computing
• Design and Technology
• Geography
• History
• Languages (from KS2)
• Music
• Physical Education

What Are SATs?

SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) are national assessments taken at the end of Key Stage 2 (Year 6). They test English reading, English grammar, punctuation and spelling, and Mathematics.

SATs results are used by secondary schools to set students into ability groups and by the government to measure school performance. They don't determine which secondary school a child attends (that's a separate admissions process), but many parents find them stressful.

For children sitting the 11 Plus — the selective grammar school and independent school entrance exam — preparation typically starts in Year 4 or early Year 5 and covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and Maths at a higher standard than the National Curriculum requires.

Year-by-Year Overview

Year 1 (ages 5–6)

Children build on the foundations laid in Reception. In English, the focus is on reading fluency, letter formation and simple sentence writing. In Maths, they work on counting, addition, subtraction and recognising shapes. Science introduces plants, animals, seasons and materials.

Year 2 (ages 6–7)

The final year of KS1. English expectations increase — children write longer pieces, use basic punctuation confidently and read with growing independence. Maths covers multiplication, division, fractions and measurement. Teacher assessments at the end of Year 2 report whether children are meeting the expected standard.

Year 3 (ages 7–8)

The start of KS2. A significant step up in independence. English introduces paragraphs, a wider range of punctuation and more structured writing. Maths moves into formal written methods for addition and subtraction. Science covers rocks, light, forces and plants in more depth.

Year 4 (ages 8–9)

Children are expected to know all times tables by the end of Year 4 (tested via the Multiplication Tables Check). English writing becomes more ambitious — fronted adverbials, expanded noun phrases, direct speech. This is often when 11 Plus preparation begins for families considering selective schools.

Year 5 (ages 9–10)

A demanding year academically. English covers complex sentences, relative clauses and cohesive writing. Maths introduces decimals, percentages, area and volume. For 11 Plus candidates, this is typically the most intensive preparation year.

Year 6 (ages 10–11)

SATs year. Children are assessed in reading, grammar/punctuation/spelling and Maths. English expectations are high — formal writing, active/passive voice, subjunctive mood. Maths covers algebra, ratio and long division. Science is teacher-assessed. Many children also sit 11 Plus or independent school entrance exams during the autumn term.

The British Curriculum Abroad

British international schools around the world follow the English National Curriculum, often enhanced with the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) or adapted for their local context. The core structure — key stages, SATs-aligned assessment, the same subjects — remains the same.

If your family is relocating to or from a British international school, the biggest challenge is usually identifying and closing any curriculum gaps caused by differences in pacing or coverage. This is one of my specialisms — I help children transition between systems without falling behind.