The National Curriculum Pupils aged 5-16 in state schools must be taught the National Curriculum. This is divided into four key stages which depend on children s ages. Pupils must also study religious education. The National Curriculum sets standards of achievement in each subject for pupils aged 5-14. For most subjects, these standards range from Levels 1-8.
All teachers check their pupils' progress in each subject as a normal part of their teaching.
They must also assess pupils' progress in English, mathematics and science against the National Curriculum level description statements when pupils reach the end of each key stage. The teacher decides which level best describes a pupil's performance in each area of learning in that subject. Teachers use their knowledge of the work pupils have done throughout the year in class to judge the pupil's progress. Tests Pupils must also take national tests at the end of each key stage. These show a pupil's performance in selected parts of a subject on a particular day.