Understanding the Primary National Curriculum. A guide for parents.

As a parent, navigating your child's educational journey can feel overwhelming. One critical component of this journey is understanding the Primary National Curriculum. This curriculum sets out the essential knowledge and skills children need to be taught at various stages of their primary education. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the primary national curriculum, structure, subjects, and assessment methods, helping you support your child's learning more effectively.

Contents:

1. What is the Primary National Curriculum?
2. Core Subjects
3. Assessment Methods
4. How Can Parents Support Their Child's Learning?
5. Download your national curriculum guides for the primary years
6. The Bootm Line

---

What is the Primary National Curriculum?

The primary national curriculum in the UK is a framework that outlines the subjects and content to be taught to children aged 5 to 11 in state schools. It aims to provide a balanced and broadly based education, promoting the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental, and physical development of pupils. Additionally, it prepares children for the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences of later life.

The curriculum is divided into Key Stages:

• Key Stage 1 (KS1): Covers ages 5-7 (Years 1 and 2).
• Key Stage 2 (KS2): Covers ages 7-11 (Years 3 to 6).

Each Key Stage has specific educational goals and subject requirements.

Core Subjects

The primary national curriculum focuses on three core subjects that form the foundation of education:

English:

• Reading: Emphasis on phonics in early years, developing into comprehension and critical analysis of texts.
• Writing: Focus on spelling, grammar, punctuation, and composition skills.
• Spoken Language: Development of effective communication skills through discussion, presentation, and drama.

Mathematics:

• Number: Understanding of numbers, operations, and relationships.
• Measurement: Concepts of length, mass, volume, time, and money.
• Geometry: Properties of shapes, space, and the use of coordinates.
• Statistics: Data handling, interpretation, and representation.

Science:

• Biology: Living organisms, their structure, habitats, and life processes.
• Chemistry: Basic principles of substances, their properties, and changes.
• Physics: Fundamental concepts of forces, motion, energy, and space.

Foundation Subjects

In addition to the core subjects, the curriculum includes foundation subjects that ensure a well-rounded education:

1. History: Understanding significant events, people, and periods in local, national, and world history.
2. Geography: Knowledge of places, environments, and the human and physical processes that shape them.
3. Art and Design: Encouragement of creativity and the development of practical skills.
4. Design and Technology: Problem-solving skills through designing and making products.
5. Music: Appreciation and understanding of music through performance, composition, and critical listening.
6. Physical Education (PE): Promotion of physical activity, skills, and healthy lifestyles.
7. Computing: Basic programming, understanding of digital systems, and responsible use of technology.

Additional Curriculum Elements

• Religious Education (RE): While not part of the national curriculum, all state schools must teach RE, following local guidelines. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from RE classes.
• Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) Education: This subject helps children develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to keep themselves healthy and safe and prepare for life and work.

Assessment Methods

Assessment is vital to the Primary National Curriculum. It helps teachers understand pupils' progress and identify areas needing support.

1. Formative Assessment: Ongoing assessments carried out by teachers during lessons to monitor student progress and inform future teaching.
2. Summative Assessment: Formal assessments at the end of a key stage or unit of study to evaluate student learning.

At the end of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, students undergo standardized assessments known as SATs (Standard Assessment Tests). These tests measure pupils' abilities in English and Mathematics:

• Key Stage 1 SATs: These are more informal and taken in Year 2 and are used to support teacher assessments.
• Key Stage 2 SATs: These more formal tests, taken in Year 6, cover English (reading, grammar, punctuation, and spelling) and Mathematics.

How Can Parents Support Their Child's Learning?

1. Engage with teachers: Regular communication with your child's teachers can provide insights into their progress and areas where they might need extra support.
2. Create a learning environment: Ensure your child has a quiet, comfortable place to study at home, equipped with necessary supplies.
3. Encourage reading: Show them how much you love reading and provide them with a variety of books to read together regularly. This parent's guide contains reading lists for each primary year group.
4. Practice Basic Skills: Encourage the practice of basic skills in English and Mathematics through homework and real-life applications.
5. Promote Curiosity: Encourage your child's natural curiosity by exploring subjects of interest beyond the classroom through museums, documentaries, and educational outings.

Download your national curriculum guides for the primary years

Working with our primary teachers, we have summarised this year's curriculum for each primary year group into handy PDF checklists that you can use throughout the year, view, download or print them using the links below

• Year 1 Curriculum Guide
• Year 2 Curriculum Guide
• Year 3 Curriculum Guide
• Year 4 Curriculum Guide
• Year 5 Curriculum Guide
• Year 6 Curriculum Guide

Our exam library also contains past papers for Key Stage 1 and 2, 11+, and scholarship exams.

The Bottom Line

Understanding the primary national curriculum is crucial for parents who wish to actively support their child's education. By familiarizing yourself with the subjects, structure, and assessment methods, you can better assist your child in navigating their primary school years. Remember, education is a partnership between the school and home, and your involvement plays a significant role in your child's academic success and overall development. For more detailed information on the Primary National Curriculum, you can visit UK Government National Curriculum

---

Further reading which may interest you:

• How to find a tutor. The ultimate guide for parents 2024.
• Year 6 Key Stage 2 SATs in May 2025. A guide for parents.