Key Stage guide will help you understand how your child performs academically. Explore what role Key Stages s play in your child's education.

1. What Are Key
Stages? Guide
for Parents

2. Table of Contents
Introduction ​
​
Key Stage 1​
​
Key Stage 2​
​
Key Stage 3​
​
Key Stage 4​
​
After Key Stage ​
​
Conclusion​
​

3. Introduction
There are five Key Stages in the English and Welsh
national curriculums.
Key
Stage
1
Key
Stage 2
Key
Stage 3
Key
Stage 4

4. Introduction
Each Key Stage has its own set
of exams.
Measuring student
performance.
Additionally, it assesses
learning across the subjects
outlined in curriculum
guidelines.

5. Key Stage 1
Key Stage 1 consists of a child's first and second years in school.
This stage was previously known as an infant.
Following the culmination of this stage. All schoolchildren compete in SATs
(Standard Assessment Tests) in the critical disciplines of Mathematics,
science, and English.
By the end of the first year, students are tested on their phonics - how well
they can recognise sounds and letters.
Students will take KS1 SATs exams in year 2, assessing their English,
Mathematics, and Science abilities.
In 2017, the Government announced that KS1 SATs would become non-
mandatory.
In other words, schools can opt in or opt-out, but this isn't effective until 2023.
A wide variety of assessment-free subjects will also be available in the Key
Stage 1 curriculum.
These subjects include arts & crafts, geographics, humanities, and religious
studies. It is an exciting time in Key Stage 1 to introduce all these subjects
and foster enthusiasm.

6. Key Stage 2
Children between the ages of 7 and 11 study in Key Stage 2.
At the end of Year 6, children take their SATs, and much of their final year at
primary school focuses on ensuring they know and understand all of the previous
years of education.
The test assesses children’s reading, math, spelling, punctuation and grammar
abilities.
Unlike the KS1 SATs, at KS2, the tests children take are set and marked externally
So that the results are used to measure the school’s performance (removing any
possibility of bias).
Each child’s results are used with their teacher’s assessment to give parents
a broader picture of their attainment and academic ability.
The best way for SATs preparation is to start early, take full-length practice
papers, and familiarise yourself with the syllabus if students need additional
support, they can opt for qualified tutors who can help them achieve excellent
grades in Standard Assessment Tests.
The tests are taken in May, and parents receive the results, plus the teacher
assessments, in July.

7. Key Stage 3
As children enter secondary education.
Children between 11 and 14 begin KS3
during the 7th to 9th grade.
During Key Stage 3, students complete the
initial three years of secondary education.
Currently, the curriculum comprises
mandatory subjects like religion and sexual
education.
In 2010, KS3 SATs were phased out.
Teachers now assess students in every key
subject.

8. Key Stage 4
From Years 10 to 11,
children aged 14-16 attend
lessons at the KS4 level.
The last two years of school
are known as the KS4 years.
The examination system for
KS4 consists of children
taking General Certificates of
Secondary Education
(GCSEs), or equivalent
credentials.

9. After Key Stage
Key Stage 5 is for those 16-18 years of age and
Years 12 to 13.
It is compulsory for pupils to attend school till the
age of 18 .
To complete Key Stage 5 at age 16, students must
meet one of the following before turning 18:
Attend a full-time college or university
Learn more about apprenticeships and traineeships
A weekly commitment of at least 20 hours of paid
employment or performing volunteer work. Enrolling
in courses or diploma programs part-time.

10. Conclusion
This Key Stage guide explains
everything briefly. The children will be
assessed on proficiency to show
they've met the National Curriculum
objectives in each subject. Children
and educators alike will find this a
stressful time. It’s essential to get
yourself in preparation mode to have a
good chance of succeeding. Taking
plenty of time to relax and avoid
overstressing is also brilliant for
teachers, students, and parents. It will
help students perform better on tests.

11. Thank you