The national curriculum in England - Key stages 1 and 2 framework document - September 2013

Sep 24, 2026

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National curriculum framework for England covering key stages 1 and 2, dated September 2013. Defines the purpose and aims of the statutory curriculum, situating it within the wider school curriculum and explaining requirements for balanced provision, collective worship, religious education, and inclusion. Sets out how schools develop pupils’ competence across numeracy and mathematics, language and literacy, and provides programmes of study and attainment targets for national curriculum subjects from early years through the upper key stage 2 period.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPaper Templates

FormatPDF

Pages201

Reading Time1 h 10 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

The school curriculum in England

The national curriculum in England

Aims

Structure

Inclusion

Numeracy and mathematics

Language and literacy

Programmes of study and attainment targets

English

Mathematics

Science

Art and design

Computing

Design and technology

Geography

History

Languages

Music

Physical education

The national curriculum in England Key stages 1 and 2 framework document September 2013 Contents 1. Introduction 4 2. The school curriculum in England 5 3. The national curriculum in England 6 4. Inclusion 8 5. Numeracy and mathematics 9 6. Language and literacy 10 7. Programmes of study and attainment targets 12 English 13 Spoken language – years 1 to 6 17 Key stage 1 – year 1 19 Key stage 1 – year 2 26 Lower key stage 2 – years 3 and 4 33 Upper key stage 2 – years 5 and 6 41 English Appendix 1: Spelling 49 Spelling – work for year 1 50 Spelling – work for year 2 55 Spelling – work for years 3 and 4 59 Word list – years 3 and 4 64 Spelling – years 5 and 6 66 Word list – years 5 and 6 71 International Phonetic Alphabet (non-statutory) 73 English Appendix 2: Vocabulary, grammar and punctuation 74 Glossary for the programmes of study for English (non-statutory) 80 Mathematics 99 Key stage 1 – years 1 and 2 101 Year 1 programme of study 102 Year 2 programme of study 107 Lower key stage 2 – years 3 and 4 113 Year 3 programme of study 114 Year 4 programme of study 120 Upper key stage 2 – years 5 and 6 126 Year 5 programme of study 127 Year 6 programme of study 135 Mathematics Appendix 1: Examples of formal written methods for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division 142 Science 144 Key stage 1 146 Key stage 1 programme of study – years 1 and 2 147 Year 1 programme of study 148 Year 2 programme of study 151 Lower key stage 2 – years 3 and 4 154 Lower key stage 2 programme of study 155 Year 3 programme of study 157 Year 4 programme of study 161 Upper key stage 2 – years 5 and 6 165 Upper key stage 2 programme of study 166 Year 5 programme of study 168 Year 6 programme of study 172 Art and design 176 Computing 178 Design and technology 180 Geography 184 History 188 Languages 193 Music 196 Physical education 198 1. Introduction 1.1 This document sets out the framework for the national curriculum at key stages 1 and 2 and includes: 􀂃 contextual information about both the overall school curriculum and the statutory national curriculum, including the statutory basis of the latter 􀂃 aims for the statutory national curriculum 􀂃 statements on inclusion, and on the development of pupils’ competence in numeracy and mathematics, language and literacy across the school curriculum 􀂃 programmes of study for key stages 1 and 2 for all the national curriculum subjects that are taught at these key stages. 2. The school curriculum in England 2.1 Every state-funded school must offer a curriculum which is balanced and broadly based 1 and which: 􀂃 promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society, and 􀂃 prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. 2.2 The school curriculum comprises all learning and other experiences that each school plans for its pupils. The national curriculum forms one part of the school curriculum. 2.3 All state schools are also required to make provision for a daily act of collective worship and must teach religious education to pupils at every key stage and sex and relationship education to pupils in secondary education. 2.4 Maintained schools in England are legally required to follow the statutory national curriculum which sets out in programmes of study, on the basis of key stages, subject content for those subjects that should be taught to all pupils. All schools must publish their school curriculum by subject and academic year online.2 2.5 All schools should make provision for personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE), drawing on good practice. Schools are also free to include other subjects or topics of their choice in planning and designing their own programme of education. 1 See Section 78 of the 2002 Education Act: [http://www.legislation.g

FAQs

What is the scope of this national curriculum framework document?

It sets out the statutory national curriculum framework for key stages 1 and 2 in England, including aims, inclusion statements, and programmes of study across national curriculum subjects.

How does the national curriculum relate to the wider school curriculum?

The national curriculum is one part of each school’s overall curriculum, with schools planning learning and other experiences beyond the statutory specifications during the school day, week, term, and year.

What requirements do state-funded schools and maintained schools have?

State-funded schools must offer a balanced and broadly based curriculum and maintained schools are legally required to follow the statutory national curriculum, with published school curriculum information by subject and academic year.

Sep 24, 2026

Upload by noah