Index
• INTRODUCTION
• NATIONAL CURRICULUM
• KEYSTAGES
|
• KEYSTAGE 0
|
|
• KEYSTAGE1
|
|
• KEYSTAGE2
|
|
• KEYSTAGE3
|
|
• KEYSTAGE4
|
|
• KEYSTAGE5
|
• KEY STAGES AND RESPECTIVE SUBJECTS
• EXAMINATION BOARDS IN UK
|
• AQA
|
|
• OCR
|
|
• EDEXCEL
|
|
• CIE
|
|
• CCEA
|
|
• WJEC
|
• CONCLUSION
• REFERENCE COURTSEY
INTRODUCTION
In each country there are five stages of education
1. Early years
2. Primary
3. Secondary: non-compulsory, and covers non-advanced education which can
be taken at further (including tertiary) education colleges
4. Further education: non-compulsory, and covers non-advanced education which
can be taken at further (including tertiary) education colleges
5. Higher education: study beyond GCE A levels (and their equivalent) which,
for most full-time students, takes place in universities and other HEIs and colleges
The National Curriculum established in 1988, provides a framework for education
in England and Wales between the ages of 5 and 18; in Scotland the nearest equivalent
is the 5-14 program, and in Northern Ireland there is something known as the common
curriculum
National Curriculum
The National Curriculum was introduced into England, Wales and Northern Ireland
as a nationwide curriculum for primary and secondary state schools , it does not
apply to independent schools, which may set their own curricula, It ensures that
all schools have a common a curriculum.
State schools of England must teach the students a set of subjects which is followed
by all so that the nation has the same curriculum
The National Curriculum covers learning for students from 5-16 age and they have
set which subject to be taught, the knowledge, skills and understanding your child
should achieve in subjects, targets so that teacher can measure how well your child
is doing in each subjects and also how information on your child’s progress should
be passed on to you
Aims and Purposes
|
• Aim 1: to provide opportunity to all pupils to learn and achieve
|
|
• Aim 2: to promote pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and
prepare all pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life.
|
|
• Purpose 1: To establish an entitlement
|
|
• Purpose 2: To establish standards
|
|
• Purpose 3: To promote continuity and coherence
|
|
There are five stages of education
|
|
|
|
Age 4-11
|
-
|
Primary Education
|
|
|
Age 11-18
|
-
|
Secondary Education
|
|
|
Age 18+
|
-
|
Further Education (Including Tertiary Education) & Higher Education
|
|
|
KEY STAGES
The National Curriculum is divided into four Key Stages that children are taken
through during their school life.
A Key Stage is a stage of the state education system in England, Whales,
Northern Ireland and British territory of Gibralter setting the educational knowledge
expected of students at various ages. The term is also used in some other countries
such as Honkong and Australia (some states) although the ages at which each Key
Stage applies differ from England.
The stages are as follows:
|
Key Stage (KS)
|
Ages
|
Duration
|
School years (Y)
|
Forms
|
Final exams
|
|
0
|
3–5
|
2 years (1 compulsory)
|
Nursery, Reception
|
Nursery, Infant Reception Class
|
|
|
1
|
5-7
|
2 years
|
1-2
|
1st–2nd form infants
|
|
|
2
|
7–11
|
4 years
|
3–6
|
1st–4th form juniors
|
11 plus (generally only for Grammar School entry) SATS
|
|
3
|
11–14
|
3 years
|
7–9
|
1st–3rd form secondary
|
|
|
4
|
14–16
|
2 years
|
10–11
|
4th–5th form secondary
|
GCSEs
|
|
5
|
16–18
|
2 years
|
12–13
|
Sixth form secondary, also FE college
|
A-Levels, AS-Levels, NVQs, National Diplomas
|
Key Stage 1
Key Stage 1 fits broadly into primary education, also known as infant schools. SATs
take place in year 2 (at the end of infants) throughout May. Each child is teacher
assessed in Reading, writing (including spelling and handwriting), Maths (including
number, shape, space and measurement) and science. The class teacher will set short
pieces of work in English and maths to judge what level of ability your child is
considered to be.
SATs take place in May and are far more formal than Key Stage 1, hence they seem
much more stressful! The tests which are taken in year 6 cover the three core subjects,
English, Maths and Science. Very bright children may be assessed by teachers to
see if they can reach higher levels. The papers are sent away to be marked with
results being available before the students leaves primary school in July.
Key Stage 2
Key Stage 2 fits the later stage of primary education, often known as junior schools.
This took pupils up to the standardized break at age 11.
Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4
Secondary education was split between Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 at age 14, to
align with long-existing two-year examination courses at GCSE level.
Key Stages 0 and 5
Key Stages 0 and 5 have no legal definition, and are merely used as indicators to
complement the defined Key Stages.
KEY STAGES AND RESPECTIVE SUBEJECTS
|
Key Stages
|
Core Subjects
|
Foundation Subjects
|
|
1
|
English, Maths, Science
|
Art & design, Computing, Design & technology, Geography, history, Music, Physical
education
|
|
2
|
English, Maths, Science
|
Art & design, Computing, Design & technology, Geography, history, Music, Physical
education, Language( Foreign Language)
|
|
3
|
English, Maths, Science
|
Art & design, Computing, Design & technology, Geography, history, Music, Physical
education, Language( Modern Foreign Language), Citizenship
|
|
4
|
English, Maths, Science(Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
|
Citizenship, Computing, Physical education
|
They have foreign languages in KS2 and modern languages in KS3. All keys stages
have religious education and secondary schools have sex and relationship education
KEY STAGES AND EXPECTED LEVELS
|
KS
|
School year
|
Approximate pupil age
|
Expected level
|
Highest level achievable by test
|
|
KS1
|
Year 2
|
7
|
2
|
3
|
|
KS2
|
Year 6
|
11
|
4
|
6
|
|
KS3
|
Year 9
|
11
|
6
|
8
|
SAT (Standards Assessment Test)s - an overview
SATs are statutory assessments carried out by all state schools. SATS (Standard
Assessment Tests) tests are given at the end of year 2, year 6 and year 9. They
are used to show your child's progress compared with other children born in the
same month. The mean (average) score for each age group on an assessment is set
at 100 and the standard deviation at 15.
For any age group a given numerical value has the same meaning in terms of standing
relative to the group. For example, an eight year old and a nine year old, each
of whom has a standard age score of 105, have performed equally well in relation
to the average for their respective age groups
A student will be assessed at Key Stage 1 (KS1) during Year 2, at age 7. While the
term 'testing' conjures up images of formal examinations, SATs assessment at KS1
takes place in the classroom and can happen at any time during the school year -
in most cases students won't even be aware that they are being tested, and assessment
will be conducted as part of everyday English and maths classroom activities.
Children are assessed in key areas such as reading, writing and spelling. In maths,
child's ability to count, read and write numbers will be assessed, alongside their
competency in general problem solving and understanding of concepts such as doubling/halving
and taking measurements. The student will not be tested in anything that they haven't
already covered in the classroom.
Expectation Levels:
|
Level
|
Year 2
|
Year 6
|
Year 8
|
|
Level 8
|
|
|
|
|
Level 7
|
|
|
exceptional
|
|
Level 6
|
|
exceptional
|
Exceeding expectation
|
|
Level 5
|
|
Exceeding expectation
|
At expected level
|
|
Level 4
|
Exceptional
|
At expected level
|
Below expected level
|
|
Level 2
|
At expected level
|
Below expected level
|
Below expected level
|
|
Level 1
|
Below expected level
|
Below expected level
|
Below expected level
|
These levels can be easily understood by the level comments given below;
Level Comments
Level W Working towards level 1, very weak
Level 1 Average for a typical 5 year,old
Level 2 Average for a typical 7 year old
Level 3 Average for a typical 9 year old
Level 4 Average for a typical 11 year old
Level 5 Average for a typical 13 year old
Level 6 Average for a typical 14 year old
Level 7 Above average for typical 14 yr old
Level 8 Only available in maths
Examination boards in UK
• AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance)
Previously, Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) is an Awarding Body in
England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It compiles specifications and holds examinations
in various subjects at GCSE, AS and A Level and offers vocational qualifications.
AQA is a registered charity and independent of the Government. It is regulated by
Ofqual, which is the regulator for the public examinations system in England and
Wales.
AQA is one of five Awarding Bodies which are recognized by the regulators of the
public exams systems for England, Wales and Northern Ireland to offer GCSE, AS and
A Levels in the United Kingdom
• OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations)
OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations) is an examination board that
sets examinations and awards qualifications (including GCSEs and A-levels). It is
one of England, Wales and Northern Ireland's five main examination boards.
• Edexcel
Edexcel offers a large number of GCSE courses. Many subjects are modular, meaning
they can be taken at any exam point in the course
• Cambridge International Examinations
Cambridge International Examinations (formerly known as "University of Cambridge
International Examinations") are a provider of international qualifications
offering examinations and qualifications in more than 160 countries. They are an
examination board under Cambridge Assessment,[2] founded in 1858 as a department
of the University of Cambridge.
CIE offer examinations and qualifications, which are open to students at registered
CIE centres.
• Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment (CCEA)
The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment (CCEA) is an examination
board Northern Ireland. As well as setting examinations the CCEA advises the Government
on what should be taught in Northern Ireland's schools, and monitors the standard
of qualifications and exa minations in Northern Ireland. Current staff levels are
approximately 370 with 200 external regular/casual examiners.
• WJEC (Welsh Joint Education Committee)
The WJEC (Welsh Joint Education Committee) is an examination board that provides
examinations, assessment, professional development, educational resources, support
for adults who wish to learn Welsh and access to youth arts activities. It provides
examinations throughout Wales, England and Northern Ireland.
Grades that can be awarded are the following:
• (GCSE & GCE): A*, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, U.
• (BTEC): Distinction*, Distinction, Merit, Pass, Fail.
All grades indicate a pass with the exception of a U grade at GCSE and Fail at BTEC.
Most courses at GCSE come in Higher (A*-D) and Lower (C-G) tiers.
CONCLUSION
The report exolains in brief about the educational system followed in UK. It deeply
examines the syllabus and examination patterns in UK. It has also gone thorigh various
key stages of respective subjects. It has also explained different board of exam,
curriculum, grades. It also gives an overview of the SAT exam conducted at UK. All
the information are gathered from different websites in UK.
References Courtesy:
http://www.hmc.org.uk/
http://www.netmums.com/
http://www.satsguide.co.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/