Skip navigation

National curriculum key stages

The national curriculum is organised into blocks of years called 'key stages'. 'Foundation stage' covers education for children before they reach five (compulsory school age).

Relationship between key stages, school years and pupil ages
Key stage School year Age
Foundation Reception 3-5
1 1 5-6
2 6-7
2 3 7-8
4 8-9
5 9-10
6 10-11
3 7 11-12
8 12-13
9 13-14
4 10 14-15
11 15-16