
The National Curriculum
An Overview
This section provide parents and students with a brief explanation of the National Curriculum used in state schools across England, what it is and how it works. The complete National Curriculum for each subject and education level can be found on the government website: http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/

What is the National Curriculum
The National Curriculum was established in 1989 to ensure consistent standards of teaching and learning across the country. State schools in England must teach a range of subjects according to targets set by the National Curriculum. The National Curriculum covers learning for all children aged 5–16 in state schools, and provides guidance on:
- which subjects should be taught
- the knowledge, skills and understanding a child should achieve in each subject (according to age)
- targets – so teachers can measure how well each child is doing in each subject
- how information on each child’s progress should be passed on to the parents.
In other words, the National Curriculum tells teachers what children need to learn and when.
A new curriculum for secondary schools
A new National Curriculum has been introduced for secondary school pupils (pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4, aged 11–16), which started in September 2010. The new curriculum aims to provide schools and teachers more flexibility about what they teach. Although programmes of study still apply, teachers will have more freedom to plan their lessons. At A new National Curriculum has been introduced for secondary school pupils (pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4, aged 11–16), which started in September 2010. The new curriculum aims to provide schools and teachers more flexibility about what they teach. Although programmes of study still apply, teachers will have more freedom to plan their lessons. At EducateFirst, tutors working in our educational classes are already planning lessons and teaching according to the new curriculum. This provides teachers with more opportunities to assess students and provide support for those struggling or more challenges for those who find the work in our classes easy., tutors working in our educational classes are already planning lessons and teaching according to the new curriculum. This provides teachers with more opportunities to assess students and provide support for those struggling or more challenges for those who find the work in our classes easy.
Another ambition of the new curriculum is to make sure that pupils interested in new National Diplomas are given support and guidance near the end of Key Stage 4 (at age 16), to help them find a path that interests and motivates them. EducateFirst can provide students and parents with professional advice on options for further education as well as future career opportunities.
The new curriculum also includes two new non-compulsory, programmes of study – personal well-being and financial well-being.
Our learning programmes are aligned with the National Curriculum
