Accordion Pages
Accordion Pages are a way of presenting multiple pages as expandable sections within a single parent page. The benefit of this is that each section can then contain text/images/files/links/videos as it is actually a fully managed page.
In the example below we have included 4 separate pages; you can click each section title to expand and see the page contents. We have used curriculum information here, but you could just as easily have subjects/classes or resources/vacancies, or whatever fits your needs.
Click the section titles below to expand and contract them.
Curriculum Overview
The ‘basic’ school curriculum includes the ‘national curriculum’, as well as relationships, sex and health education, and religious education.
The national curriculum is a set of subjects and standards used by primary and secondary schools so children learn the same things. It covers what subjects are taught and the standards children should reach in each subject.
Other types of school like academies and private schools do not have to follow the national curriculum. Academies must teach a broad and balanced curriculum including English, maths and science. They must also teach relationships and sex education, and religious 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.
| Child’s age | Year | Key stage | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | Early years | ||
| 4 to 5 | Reception | Early years | Assessment of pupils’ starting points in language, communication, literacy and maths and teacher assessments |
| 5 to 6 | Year 1 | KS1 | Phonics screening check |
| 6 to 7 | Year 2 | KS1 | National tests in English reading and maths. Teacher assessments in maths, science, and English reading and writing |
| 7 to 8 | Year 3 | KS2 | |
| 8 to 9 | Year 4 | KS2 | Multiplication tables check |
| 9 to 10 | Year 5 | KS2 | |
| 10 to 11 | Year 6 | KS2 | National tests in English reading, maths, and grammar, punctuation and spelling. Teacher assessments in English writing and science |
| 11 to 12 | Year 7 | KS3 | |
| 12 to 13 | Year 8 | KS3 | |
| 13 to 14 | Year 9 | KS3 | |
| 14 to 15 | Year 10 | KS4 | Some children take GCSEs |
| 15 to 16 | Year 11 | KS4 | Most children take GCSEs or other national |
Key Stage 1 and 2
Compulsory national curriculum subjects at primary school are:
- 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
- religious education (RE) - but parents can ask for their children to be taken out of the whole lesson or part of it
Schools often also teach:
- personal, social and health education (PSHE)
- citizenship
- modern foreign languages (at key stage 1)
- sex education - parents can ask for their children to be taken out of the lesson
Tests and assessments
Year 1 phonics screening check
The check will take place in June when your child will read 40 words out loud to a teacher. You’ll find out how your child did, and their teacher will assess whether he or she needs extra help with reading. If your child does not do well enough in the check they’ll have to do it again in Year 2.
Key stage 1
Key stage 1 tests cover:
- English reading
- English grammar, punctuation and spelling
- maths
Your child will take the tests in May. You can ask the school for the test results.
You’ll be sent the results of your child’s teacher assessments automatically.
Key stage 2
Your child will take national tests in May when they reach the end of key stage 2. These test your child’s skills in:
- English reading
- English grammar, punctuation and spelling
- maths
The tests last less than 4 hours. You’ll get the results in July.
The school will send you the results of your child’s tests and teacher assessments.
Key stage 3
Compulsory national curriculum subjects are:
- English
- maths
- science
- history
- geography
- modern foreign languages
- design and technology
- art and design
- music
- physical education
- citizenship
- computing
Schools must also provide:
- relationships, sex and health education - parents can ask for their children to be taken out of sex education
- religious education (RE) - parents can ask for their children to be taken out of the whole lesson or part of it
Key stage 4
During key stage 4 most pupils work towards national qualifications - usually GCSEs.
The compulsory national curriculum subjects are the ‘core’ and ‘foundation’ subjects.
Core subjects are:
- English
- maths
- science
Foundation subjects are:
- computing
- physical education
- citizenship
Schools must also offer at least one subject from each of these areas:
- arts
- design and technology
- humanities
- modern foreign languages
They must also provide relationships, sex and health education, and religious education (RE) at key stage 4.
English Baccalaureate (EBacc)
The EBacc is a way to measure how many pupils in a school choose to take a GCSE in these core subjects:
- English language and literature
- maths
- the sciences
- history or geography
- a language
Find out more about the EBacc.
Other Compulsory Subjects
Children might also need to study relationships, sex and health education, and religious education (RE).
What your child must study depends on the subject, and whether your child is in primary or secondary school.
They may not have to take exams in these subjects.
Schools must have a written policy on relationships education (primary schools) and relationships and sex education (secondary schools), which they must make available to parents for free.
Relationships education
Relationships education is compulsory for all primary and secondary school pupils.
Sex education
Sex education is compulsory in secondary schools. Parents can ask to withdraw their child from parts or all of sex education taught as part of relationships and sex education. Parents cannot withdraw their child from sex education taught in science.
Primary schools can choose to teach sex education but it’s not compulsory. Parents can withdraw their child from sex education in primary school.
Health education
Health education is compulsory for all pupils in state-funded primary and secondary schools.
Religious education
Schools have to teach RE but parents can withdraw their children for all or part of the lessons. Pupils can choose to withdraw themselves once they’re 18.
Local councils are responsible for deciding the RE syllabus, but faith schools and academies can set their own.
