What are the Key Stages? Education Phases in the UK

What are the Key Stages

In England, the national curriculum is organised into age-based phases known as key stages (often written as KS). If you’ve ever wondered What are the Key Stages and how they work, this guide explains each stage clearly, from the Early Years Foundation Stage through to post-16 study. We also outline assessments, subjects and qualification levels, with links to official guidance so you can dig deeper.

Page Contents

At a glance: stages, ages and school years

Stage	Typical ages	School years	Where it’s taught
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)	0–5	Nursery & Reception	Childminders, preschools, nurseries, school reception classes
Key Stage 1 (KS1)	5–7	Year 1–2	Primary school
Key Stage 2 (KS2)	7–11	Year 3–6	Primary school
Key Stage 3 (KS3)	11–14	Year 7–9	Secondary school
Key Stage 4 (KS4)	14–16	Year 10–11	Secondary school
Post-16 (often called KS5)	16–18	Year 12–13	Sixth forms & colleges

Early Years (0–5): EYFS

The EYFS sets statutory standards for learning, development and care from birth to age 5. All Ofsted-registered early years providers — including childminders, preschools, nurseries and reception classes — follow the EYFS. Children learn primarily through play-based activities, building the foundations for literacy, maths, communication and personal development.

Primary school

Key Stage 1 (ages 5–7)

Year 1 phonics screening check (June): pupils read 40 words (including some pseudo “alien” words) with a teacher to confirm decoding skills.
Year 2 assessments: schools may use optional tests/teacher assessments in reading, writing, maths and science. Your child’s school will let you know if they do.

Key Stage 2 (ages 7–11)

Year 4 multiplication tables check: a quick on-screen check of times tables up to 12×12 (teachers share the score and use it to plan support).
Year 6 national tests (“SATs”): papers in reading; grammar, punctuation & spelling; and maths. Teacher assessment in writing and science.

By the end of the summer term, schools provide a written report on progress and discuss it with parents/carers.

Secondary school

Key Stage 3 (ages 11–14)

Pupils study a broad set of subjects, typically including English, maths, science, history, geography, a modern foreign language, design & technology, art & design, music, PE, citizenship and computing. Schools must also provide relationships & health education, sex education and religious education (RE) (parents can request withdrawal from parts of sex education and RE).

Key Stage 4 (ages 14–16)

Most pupils work towards national qualifications such as GCSEs (some may sit early entries in Year 10). The compulsory subjects are:

Core: English, maths, science.
Foundation: computing, PE, citizenship.
Plus at least one from: arts; design & technology; humanities; modern foreign languages.

Schools also provide relationships & health education, sex education and RE. Many schools encourage an EBacc subject mix (English, maths, sciences, history/geography and a language) to keep future options open.

Post-16 (often called Key Stage 5): sixth forms and colleges

After GCSEs, young people move into post-16 education or training until age 18. This could be a school sixth form or a further education college. Common pathways include A levels, T Levels, and other Level 3 technical or applied qualifications, alongside options such as apprenticeships. You’ll sometimes hear families and teachers refer to this phase as Key Stage 5.

Subjects vs curriculum types

Most state-funded primary and secondary schools follow the national curriculum (a shared set of subjects and standards). Academies and free schools must still offer a broad and balanced programme including English, maths and science, but may design their own curriculum. Independent (private) schools set their own curricula.

Assessments you’ll typically encounter

Reception baseline assessment and the EYFS profile in Reception.
Year 1 phonics screening check in June (repeated in Year 2 if needed).
Optional Year 2 tests/teacher assessments (KS1).
Year 4 multiplication tables check.
Year 6 national tests and teacher assessments (KS2).
GCSEs/technical awards across Years 10–11 (KS4).

Qualification levels (entry level to level 8)

UK qualifications sit on national frameworks, from Entry Level through Levels 1–8. For example, GCSEs are typically Level 1–2; A levels, T Levels and many applied/technical courses are Level 3; degrees are Levels 6–8. Understanding levels helps when reading job adverts, course entry requirements and apprenticeship listings.

FAQ: What are the Key Stages in England?

Short answer: they are the stages of the national curriculum that group school years into manageable “blocks” with clear expectations for what pupils should learn. If you’re comparing schools, asking What are the Key Stages is a useful way to understand the curriculum pathway from early years to GCSEs and beyond.

Related terms (synonyms you might see)

UK school stages
National curriculum stages
Education phases / school phases
Curriculum blocks

Useful official links

In summary

Now you know What are the Key Stages, how they map to ages and school years, which subjects are compulsory, and the key assessments along the way. If you’re comparing schools on School Search, use these stages — and their linked assessments and qualifications — to match a school’s offer to your child’s needs.