Overview of the new national curriculum for parents information.

1. THE NEW NATIONAL
CURRICULUM
S E P T E MB E R 2 0 1 4
T H U R S TO N L A N D F I R S T S C H O O L

2. HOW IS IT ORGANISED?
• Key Stage 1 Age 5-7 [Year 1-2]
• Key Stage 2 Age 7-11 [Year 3-6]
• Key Stage 3 Age 11-13 [Year 7-9]
• Key Stage 4 Age 14-16 [Year 10-11]
• Key Stage 5 Age 16-19 [Year 12-13]
• The new curriculum retains the main subject areas of English, Mathematics,
Sciences, History, Geography, The Arts, Foreign Languages, Design
Technology, Music, Sport and P.E.

3. STATUTORY ELEMENTS
• Old Curriculum New Curriculum
• Mathematics Mathematics
• English [including Drama] English [including Drama]
• Sciences Sciences
• ICT Computing
• Design Technology Design Technology
• Geography Geography
• History History
• Art Art
• Music Music
• Modern Foreign Languages Languages
• P.E and Sport P.E and Sport
• Citizenship

4. THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM IN ENGLAND
The Statutory elements came into effect from
September 2014. For pupils in Year 2 the new
programmes of study will come into effect from
September 2015. Schools are free to choose how
they organise their school day as long as the content
of the National Curriculum programmes of study are
taught.

5. WHAT HAS CHANGED?
There are changes in
content for all subjects in
the National Curriculum. A
summary of these can be
found on the Department
For Education website.
In Maths children will be
expected to learn more
at an earlier age, e.g to
know the 12 x table by
the age of 9
History will have a more
chronological focus
In English more
Shakespeare will be taught
and there will be much
more emphasis on spelling
Science will see a shift to
hard facts and scientific
knowledge
In Computing the
curriculum will require
pupils to learn how to
code as well as other PC
skills

6. ASSESSMENT
There are no longer levels such as
1a/2c, these will change gradually over
the next academic year. The three key
elements are now
Emerging
Expected
Exceeding

7. Formative and summative assessment will still take
place and be recorded on the tracking tool,
Classroom Monitor, which is being used by the
majority of first schools in the Shelley Pyramid.
Progress will be measured in Milestones
Milestone 1 [achieved by the end of
Year 2]
Milestone 2 [achieved by the end of
Year 4]
Milestone 3 [achieved by the end of
Year 6]
Pupils will have baseline checks and
termly assessments in line with their age
and ability

8. The principles which drive our
curriculum at Thurstonland
That all children will
leave us with high
standards in all areas of
learning
That they will have an
enquiring mind and a
desire for knowledge
That they will have
strong self esteem and
high personal
expectations
That they will show
tolerance and respect
for others

9. If there is anything you would like to discuss further, please
make an appointment with Mrs. Kirton who will be happy to explain in more
detail how the changes will affect your child.
01484 222818
or email head.thurstonland@kirkleeseducation.uk