Curriculum

Plymouth schools offer a varied curriculum designed to meet children’s needs and abilities. All children aged five to 16 follow the National Curriculum (children aged three to five in early years education follow the foundation stage which is now part of the National Curriculum).

On this page you will find information about the following topics:

• Primary years
• How primary education is organised
• Secondary years
• How secondary education is organised
• Assessment
• Getting involved in your child's education
• Questions

Primary years

Pupils in the primary phase of schooling (these children will be in primary schools or separate infant and junior schools) follow the Primary National Strategy which extends the support provided by the established Literacy and Numeracy Strategies to all foundation subjects. The new Primary Strategy has at its centre the following subject areas:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Religious education

However the following foundation subject areas are now more fully integrated into the strategy:

• Information and communication technology
• Design and technology
• History
• Geography
• Art and design
• Music
• Physical education

Children will also study issues relating to personal, social and health education. They may also have the opportunity at Key Stage Two to study modern foreign languages.

How primary education is organised

The following table shows how primary education is organised in Plymouth and how the different Key Stages relate to the different types of school. For each type of school the school's age range is indicated by an X.

Key Stage	Year group	Age group	Primary school	Infant school	Junior school
Foundation Stage	R	4 to 5*	X	X	-
Key Stage One	1	5 to 6	X	X	-
Key Stage One	2	6 to 7	X	X	-
Key Stage Two	3	7 to 8	X	-	X
Key Stage Two	4	8 to 9	X	-	X
Key Stage Two	5	9 to 10	X	-	X
Key Stage Two	6	10 to 11	X	-	X

* the foundation stage starts at three for those in other early years settings

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Secondary years

When students transfer to secondary school, their previous school passes on the records of each pupil’s progress so that secondary school teachers can plan and prepare.

Secondary education builds upon achievements and skills to prepare students for adult life. Your child will be taught by a number of teachers in different classrooms with specialist facilities, rather than mainly staying with one teacher.

Teaching and learning for students in Key Stage Three is supported by the Secondary Strategy, which aims to strengthen learning across the curriculum for 11 to 14 year olds. Students in Key Stage Three study the following statutory subjects:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science

The following foundation subjects are also studied:

• Design and technology
• Information and communication technology
• History
• Geography
• Modern foreign languages
• Art
• Physical education
• Citizenship

Students in Key Stage Four study the same core subjects as at Key Stage Three as well as the following foundation subjects:

• Design and technology
• Information and communication technology
• Physical education
• Modern foreign languages
• Citizenship

From 2004 the arts, design and technology, history, geography and modern foreign languages become entitlement areas at Key Stage Four. This means that schools will no longer be required to teach a modern foreign language and design and technology to all students at Key Stage Four.

14 to 19 reforms

In February 2005 the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) published its White Paper 14 to 19 Education and Skills. The White Paper sets out how the Government aims to create an education system to help every individual reach their full potential, through designing a system for young people based on high standards, choice and meeting individual needs and aspirations.

The government sets out a number of clear priorities, which include:

• a greater focus on the functional skills needed for every day life, demonstrated through real life application
• stronger vocational routes, where young people develop through practical experience, with qualifications that give them the broad education they need to progress further in learning as well as in employment.
• providing options on both general and applied routes, which stretch and extend young people, these will be backed up greater choice for young people to advance quickly through the system, or if they need to take longer, in order to achieve high standards.
• new action for pupils who do not come to school and to ensure that those in danger of dropping out can be motivated to stay in learning.

One of the key elements of the reforms is the introduction of diplomas, which will start to be offered nationally from 2008. The diplomas will enable young people different ways of learning to enable them to progress to higher education or skilled employment.

To read more about the Government’s plans for 14 to 19 education visit the DCSF website.

How secondary education is organised

The following table shows how secondary education is organised in relation to the different Key Stages. Plymouth has a range of secondary schools (the majority have sixth forms) including community colleges, comprehensive schools and selective grammar schools.

Key Stage	Year group	Age group
Key Stage Three	7	11 to 12
Key Stage Three	8	12 to 13
Key Stage Three	9	13 to 14
Key Stage Four	10	14 to 15
Key Stage Four	11	15 to 16
Sixth Form	12	16 to 17
Sixth Form	13	17 to 18

Assessment

At the end of the foundation stage children have their progress and learning needs summed up using the foundation stage profile. Normally this is at the end of the reception year however profiles must be completed in any government funded setting in which children complete the foundation stage. The profile is based on teacher’s observations and assessments in six areas of learning (there are no assessment activities, tests or tasks). Foundation stage profile results should be reported to parents.

Towards the end of Years 2, 6 and 9 which correspond with the ends of Key Stage One, Two and Three children are assessed in English, Mathematics and Science through formal teacher assessments and national tests (sometimes referred to as Standard Assessment Tests - SATS). Tables are published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), normally in December/January showing the results at Key Stage Two, Three and GCSE/Post 16 for all maintained schools.

• Plymouth primary school (Key Stage Two) achievement and attainment tables
• Plymouth secondary school (Key Stage Three) achievement and attainment tables
• Plymouth Secondary school (GSCE and equivalent) achievement and attainment tables
• Plymouth school and college (Post 16) achievement and attainment tables

Your child will be involved in discussing his or her progress with school staff and school’s arrange meetings for parents/carers to discuss their children’s work with the teachers.

The school keeps a record of your child’s progress and achievement, which you are entitled to see. The school will provide you with a written report at least once a year.

Getting involved in your child's education

There are many ways in which you can support your child’s education. Visit the DCSF Parent’s Centre website for a wealth of ideas on how you can help your child to make the most of their education.

Questions

If you have any questions about the subjects that your child is studying at school or the methods being used to teach them you should talk to the relevant class teacher who will be happy to help.

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