The UK National Curriculum, decoded
Everything your child should learn, from age 3 to 14 — broken down by key stage, subject, and year group. Clear, jargon-free, and built for home-educating parents.
Official Gov.uk Source
Key Stages at a Glance
The national curriculum is organised into blocks of years called "key stages". Here's the full picture.
| Stage | Ages | Years | Assessments |
|---|---|---|---|
| EYFS | 3–5 | Reception | Reception baseline & EYFS profile |
| KS1 | 5–7 | Year 1–2 | Phonics check (Y1), optional SATs (Y2) |
| KS2 | 7–11 | Year 3–6 | Times tables check (Y4), SATs (Y6) |
| KS3 | 11–14 | Year 7–9 | No national tests — teacher assessment |
Early Years Foundation Stage
Play-based learning that builds the foundations for future learning. Focuses on communication, physical development, and personal, social & emotional development.
Assessments: Reception baseline assessment (first 6 weeks) and the EYFS profile (April–June).
Communication & Language
Listening, attention, understanding, and speaking.
Physical Development
Gross and fine motor skills, health and self-care.
Personal, Social & Emotional
Self-regulation, managing self, and building relationships.
Literacy
Comprehension, word reading, and writing.
Mathematics
Number and numerical patterns.
Understanding the World
Past and present, people, culture & communities, and the natural world.
Expressive Arts & Design
Creating with materials, and being imaginative & expressive.
Key Stage 1
Children begin formal learning in core subjects. Phonics is a major focus, alongside building number fluency and introducing science, history, and creative subjects.
Assessments: Year 1: Phonics screening check. Year 2: Optional tests in maths, English reading, and grammar, punctuation & spelling.
English
Phonics, reading, writing, handwriting, and spoken language.
Mathematics
Number, place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, measurement, geometry, and statistics.
Science
Working scientifically, plants, animals, everyday materials, and seasonal changes.
Art & Design
Using materials creatively, drawing, painting, and sculpture.
Computing
Algorithms, programming, and using technology safely.
Design & Technology
Designing, making, evaluating, and technical knowledge.
Geography
Place knowledge, human & physical geography, and fieldwork skills.
History
Changes within living memory, significant events, and notable people.
Music
Singing, playing instruments, and listening to music.
Physical Education
Movement, dance, games, and athletic activities.
PSHE
Personal, social, health and economic education (non-statutory).
Key Stage 2
Learning deepens across all subjects. Children develop fluency in core skills, tackle more complex reasoning, and explore broader scientific, historical, and geographical topics.
Assessments: Year 4: Multiplication tables check. Year 6: National tests (SATs) in English reading, maths, and grammar, punctuation & spelling. Teacher assessments in writing and science.
English
Reading comprehension, writing for different purposes, spelling, grammar, and spoken language.
Mathematics
Number, fractions, decimals, percentages, measurement, geometry, statistics, ratio, and algebra (Year 6).
Science
Living things, materials, forces, electricity, light, sound, Earth & space, evolution, and states of matter.
Art & Design
Developing techniques, using sketchbooks, and studying great artists.
Computing
Programming, networks, data representation, and online safety (digital literacy).
Design & Technology
Cooking & nutrition, mechanisms, structures, electrical systems, and textiles.
Geography
Locational knowledge, human & physical geography, mapping, and fieldwork.
History
British history from Stone Age to 1066, ancient civilisations, and local history studies.
Languages
A modern foreign language (e.g. French, Spanish) — speaking, reading, and writing.
Music
Performing, composing, and appreciating music across traditions.
Physical Education
Invasion games, net games, athletics, swimming, outdoor & adventurous activities.
PSHE
Health, relationships, living in the wider world, and economic wellbeing.
Key Stage 3
Secondary-level learning with specialist subject teachers. Concepts become more abstract and analytical. Dadahacks covers up to Year 7 (age 11–12).
Assessments: No national tests at KS3 — teacher assessment throughout.
English
Literature from different periods, critical analysis, creative writing, and spoken English.
Mathematics
Algebra, geometry, ratio & proportion, statistics, probability, and number.
Science
Biology, chemistry, and physics as separate disciplines with practical work.
Art & Design
Refined techniques, critical understanding, and personal projects.
Citizenship
Democracy, law, human rights, and active participation.
Computing
Advanced programming, Boolean logic, binary, and computer architecture.
Design & Technology
Product design, systems, materials, and innovation.
Geography
Physical processes, human geography, globalisation, and fieldwork enquiry.
History
Medieval Britain, the Making of the UK, Empire, and world events post-1900.
Languages
Modern and/or ancient foreign languages with deeper grammar and literature.
Music
Performance, composition, and critical listening across genres.
Physical Education
Competitive sport, personal fitness, and teamwork.
PSHE
Health & wellbeing, relationships, and living in the wider world.
Religious Education
World religions, ethics, philosophy, and critical thinking.
Beyond the National Curriculum
The "basic" school curriculum includes the national curriculum, plus Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) and Religious Education (RE). These are compulsory at all maintained schools.
Other types of school — like academies and private schools — don't have to follow the national curriculum, but they must teach a broad and balanced curriculum including English, maths, and science.
As a home-educating parent, you are free to choose how you deliver this content. Dadahacks is here to support you with structured, curriculum-aligned resources that you can adapt to your child's pace.
Ready to put it into practice?
Explore our curriculum-aligned lessons, generate personalised worksheets, and chat with our personal tutor — all tailored to your child's key stage.