THE STRUCTURE OF PRIMARY EDUCATION IN THE UK

“Key stages” The education system in the UK is also split into "key stages" which breaks down as follows: Foundation stage – 3 to 5 years old Key Stage 1 - 5 to 7 years old Key Stage 2 - 7 to 11 years old Key Stage 3 - 11 to 14 years old Key Stage 4 - 14 to 16 years old

Primary Education In the UK, primary education is given to a child at the age of 5 and it continues until 11. The first key stage is for infants and the other is for juniors. 

What is the structure of the English primary education system? This section seeks to describe the structure of primary education in England at the present time. In so doing it covers: • who has control of and responsibility for the structure of primary education • different primary school types • key stages in primary school education • length, structure and control of the school year • the structure of inspection in primary education.

Who controls the structure of primary education in England? The control of education in England lies with the national government and central Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The DCSF have produced special homework support kits to help parents, carers and families of school-aged children to engage in their child's learning and build it into their family routines. 

Primary school types There are a number of different school types that cover the age ranges relevant to this literature survey. They are: • infant schools (typically age four to seven) • first schools (typically age eight to 12 or nine to 13) • junior schools (typically age seven to 11) • middle schools (typically age eight to 12) • primary schools with pre-schools or nurseries (typically age three to 11 ) • primary schools without pre-schools or nurseries (typically age five to 11).

key stages in primary school education The National Curriculum divides education up into ‘key stages’ of learning. In the primary years these are ‘the Foundation Stage’, ‘Key Stage 1’ and ‘Key Stage 2’.

Foundation Stage Nursery school A nursery school is a school for children between the ages of one and five years, there are not enough state nursery schools ( or kindergartens) in Britain and people have campaigned for a long time to get more opened. They play, paint, dance and sing and do the same things that all little children do.

Reception (school) Reception or Primary 1 or FS2 (foundation second year) is the first year of primary school in the United Kingdom. It is preceded by nursery and is followed by Year One in England and Wales or Primary 2 in Northern Ireland. Pupils in Reception are usually aged between four and five. 

Key Stage 1 Key Stage 1 is the legal term for the two years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales normally known as Year 1 and Year 2, when pupils are aged between 5 and 7. This Key Stage normally covers pupils during infant school, although in some cases this might form part of a first or primary school. All pupils in this Key Stage must follow a programme of education in at least 10 statutory areas set out on the National Curriculum website : English language Mathematics Science Information and Communication Technology Design Technology History Geography Art and Design Music Physical Education

Key Stage 2 Key Stage 2 is the legal term for the four years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales normally known as Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6, when pupils are aged between 7 and 11. The term is applied differently in Northern Ireland where it refers to pupils in Year 5, Year 6 and Year 7 (pupils aged 8 to 11) All pupils in this Key Stage must follow a programme of education in at least 11 areas : English Mathematics Science Information and Communication Technology Design Technology History Geography Art and Design Music Physical Education Religious Education At the end of this stage, pupils aged 11 - in Year 6 - are tested as part of the national programme of National Curriculum Tests.

Primary Education Infant School Junior School Reception, age 4 to 5 Year 1, age 5 to 6 Year 2, age 6 to 7 (KS1 National Curriculum Tests - England only) Junior School Year 3, age 7 to 8 Year 4, age 8 to 9 Year 5, age 9 to 10 Year 6, age 10 to 11 (Eleven plus exams in some areas of England, Key Stage 2 National Curriculum Tests)

Length and structure of the school year In England, the school year comprises a minimum of 190 teaching days. The school year generally runs from September to July and schools are open five full days per week. Typically the year is divided into three terms, each with a half-term break.

Inspection of primary education Schools are inspected on a three-year cycle and inspections are carried out by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). Schools are required to complete a Self Evaluation Form (SEF), and inspectors use this along with the school’s Performance and Assessment (PANDA) report and any previous inspection reports to help inform their inspection. Inspection reports include the following: • description of the school • overall effectiveness of the school • achievement & standards • quality of provision in terms of teaching & learning, curriculum & other activities and care, guidance & support • leadership & management • the extent to which schools enable learners to be healthy • the extent to which providers ensure that they stay safe • how well learners enjoy their education • the extent to which learners make a positive contribution