PagineEngland Curriculum Guide & Practice Tests
England follows the National Curriculum, organised into Key Stages: KS1 (Years 1–2), KS2 (Years 3–6), KS3 (Years 7–9) and KS4 (Years 10–11, GCSEs). Following the 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review, a revised curriculum is planned for first teaching in September 2028, with updated GCSEs from 2029.
- 14 levels
- 310 practice tests
- 6 exam guides
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Exams and tests
| Exam | Subjects | When | Counts? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phonics Screening Check (Year 1) | Decoding 40 words, including pseudo-words | June of Year 1 (retake in Year 2 if needed) | Does not give a mark on reports; schools share whether the expected standard was met. |
| Multiplication Tables Check (Year 4) | Times tables up to 12 × 12 | June of Year 4 | No pass mark; results are shared with schools and parents. |
| Key Stage 2 SATs (Year 6) | English reading; English grammar, punctuation and spelling; maths (arithmetic + two reasoning papers) | May of Year 6 | Results are given as scaled scores (100 = expected standard) and passed to secondary schools. |
| GCSEs (Year 11) | English language, English literature, maths, sciences (combined or separate biology, chemistry, physics), history, geography and more | Exams in May–June of Year 11 | GCSE results shape sixth-form and college options; English and maths at grade 4+ are especially important. |
| A levels (Year 13) | Usually three subjects, such as maths, biology, chemistry, physics, English and history | Exams in May–June of Year 13 | Used for university admission (UCAS points or grade offers). |
| 11-plus (grammar school entrance) | Varies by area: English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning | Usually September of Year 6 | Used for selection in areas with grammar schools (for example Kent, Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire). |
How school is organized
Reception (age 4–5), Years 1–6 (primary), Years 7–11 (secondary) and Years 12–13 (sixth form). Children must stay in education or training until 18.
Finishing school: Most students take GCSEs at 16 (graded 9–1). Students without a grade 4 in English or maths continue studying them post-16. Many then take A levels, T levels or vocational qualifications.
Official curriculum: National Curriculum in England
Other nations
Frequently asked questions
What curriculum does England use?
England follows the National Curriculum, organised into Key Stages: KS1 (Years 1–2), KS2 (Years 3–6), KS3 (Years 7–9) and KS4 (Years 10–11, GCSEs). Following the 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review, a revised curriculum is planned for first teaching in September 2028, with updated GCSEs from 2029.
How are school years organized in England?
Reception (age 4–5), Years 1–6 (primary), Years 7–11 (secondary) and Years 12–13 (sixth form). Children must stay in education or training until 18.
What is needed to finish school?
Most students take GCSEs at 16 (graded 9–1). Students without a grade 4 in English or maths continue studying them post-16. Many then take A levels, T levels or vocational qualifications.
Which exams do students take in England?
Phonics Screening Check (Year 1); Multiplication Tables Check (Year 4); Key Stage 2 SATs (Year 6); GCSEs (Year 11); A levels (Year 13); 11-plus (grammar school entrance).