Primary

Starting at around age five, children begin their formal educational journey by entering primary school. Primary education is a crucial part of a child’s development and lays the foundation upon which their future academic success is built. Social workers, parents and carers have a duty to support the education of the children in their care and should ensure 100% attendance.

All primary schools must follow the national curriculum, which includes a wide range of subjects:

  • English

  • Maths

  • Science

  • Design and Technology

  • History

  • Geography

  • Art and design

  • Music

  • Physical Education (PE), including swimming

  • Computing

  • Ancient and Modern Foreign Languages (at key stage 2)

Primary schools must also provide relationships and health education, as well as religious education (RE). Many schools also teach personal, social and health education (PSHE); citizenship; careers education; modern foreign languages (at key stage 1), and sex education.

Key Stages

The national curriculum is organised into blocks of years called ‘key stages’ (KS). At the end of each key stage, the teacher will formally assess your child’s performance.

Key Stage 1
Years 1 - 2 (5 - 7 years old)

KS1 Assessments

All children must take the phonics screening check at the end of Year 1. This will assess a child’s ability to read, decode, and sound out familiar and unfamiliar words.

In some schools, children will also take national curriculum tests in grammar, punctuation, and spelling (GPS), reading and mathematics at the end of Year 2. These tests are optional, but the government encourages schools to administer them.

Key Stage 2

Years 3 - 6 (7 - 11 years old)

KS2 Assessments

In Year 4, all pupils must take the multiplication tables check (MTC). This test will determine whether pupils can recall their times tables fluently.

At the end of year 6, children will sit statutory Key Stage 2 SATs in grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS); reading and mathematics. These tests are prepared and written by the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) and are externally marked by trained markers.

Teachers are also required to submit teacher assessments for each child in writing and science.

All cared for children who are attending school, will have a Personal Education Plan (PEP) that is updated on a termly basis.

Transition to Secondary Education should be planned during the child’s Year 6 PEP meetings prior to the child moving into Secondary Education. Where possible, staff from the receiving school should be invited to attend the Summer PEPand be involved to ensure a smooth and successful transition into Year 7.

Social workers and carers should ensure that they are familiar with the school admissions process and the application date for Year 7 places in Secondary Education. Looked-after children will have priority when places are allocated.