Key Stage 1 Teaching for Children Aged 5-7

These years of your child's time at school are called key stage 1.

At the end of each key stage, each National Curriculum subject has a target: your child should have reached a particular level of skills, knowledge and understanding.

Why have targets and tests?

• Children get a sense of achievement from reaching each milestone in their learning, and going beyond it.

• Schools use them to check on children's progress, so that they can match their teaching to each child's needs and abilities.

• The government uses them to see how many children are making the right kind of progress (especially in English and mathematics, where children take National Curriculum tests and tasks at age 7).

Of course, some children may not make as much progress as others and some have special educational needs. Please read the important information about this in the section on frequently asked questions.

As a parent or carer, you have a very important role to play in helping your child learn. Some parents are afraid of doing the wrong thing. (If you are unsure about how to help, you can always ask your child's teacher.) The most important things you can do are:

• take an interest in what your child is learning at school, and encourage them to tell you about it

• praise them when they have done well.

There are other things you can do, too: this book also gives ideas and tips for each subject. Don't feel you have to do all of them, but any you can do will support your child's learning at school.

Why do schools teach English?

To get the most out of school, your child needs to get to grips with four basic skills - speaking, listening, reading and writing. This is what their English lessons are all about. These are where they learn how to express themselves clearly and creatively. They listen to and read stories and poems from all over the world, explore their imagination and read to find out facts.

Why do schools teach maths?

We all use maths every day, even if that's not what we call it. We check our change at the shops, work out how expensive the new carpet will be, decide when we need to leave the house to get to the airport. And at the other end of the spectrum, brilliant scientists are using maths to build the internet and help us understand the laws of the universe.
 

Why do schools teach science?

Every child has a natural curiosity about the way the world works: science lessons show how they can get answers to questions such as how plants grow or why it's dark at night.

Why do schools teach design and technology?

A video recorder that's easy to programme or a desk that's just right for the home computer ... good design makes things easier and more enjoyable to use. Design and technology lessons give children the opportunity to investigate how well familiar products and objects actually work, and who they're really aimed at. By answering questions such as 'Is this the right tool for the job?' they learn how to solve practical problems skilfully, creatively and with imagination.

Why do schools teach information and communication technology?

You can email through your TV, surf the internet from a mobile phone, or do the shopping from your home computer: modern technology is changing the way we live and work. And children need to learn how to manage it all - how to get hold of information, store it, share it with others and tailor it to their own needs. That's where their information and communication technology (ICT) lessons come in. This is where they learn how to use the internet and email, digital cameras and scanners, recording equipment and computer software.

Why do schools teach history?

How did we get here? Where do we come from? History helps shed light on these big questions. It introduces children to an unfamiliar but important world - the past. Piecing together the picture of the past is a bit like detective work. Children use different kinds of evidence to find out about people's lives and events and how things have changed. Learning how to weigh up evidence and reach conclusions are just some of the skills children develop through studying the history of Britain and the wider world. As they do this, they begin to understand and remember a framework of significant events and people.

Why do schools teach geography?

We all make a mark on where we live, and where we live leaves its mark on us. Learning about the links between our lives and the environment around us is central to geography lessons at this stage. Children find out about an area in the UK and how it compares with other places around the world. To help them get the best out of their investigations inside and outside the classroom, they learn how to use maps, photographs and computers - skills which prove useful in other subjects as well as when they leave school.

Why do schools teach art and design?

There's nothing like discovering your favourite colours in a box of paints when you're a child. You can show how you see the world by making a picture of what's around you or communicating how you feel, using different patterns, materials and textures. Children feed their imagination through art and design. They study different sorts of art work, from murals to sculptures, and learn how art, craft and design enrich their lives and ours.

Why do schools teach music?

We've all got our 'desert island discs', songs that remind us of places we've visited, or tunes that always cheer us up when we're feeling down. Making music together helps children to explore and express their thoughts and feelings. Learning songs from times gone by or from different parts of the world helps children learn about other times and other cultures. And getting to grips with listening carefully is going to help them in all sorts of different lessons throughout their school career.

Why do schools teach PE?

Whether regular exercise is swimming or a Sunday afternoon kickaround, we know keeping fit is important these days. In physical education, or PE, children learn that it's fun to stay in shape. They learn how to prepare for and recover from exercise, and what happens to their body when they work out in a variety of ways. It's a vital foundation to help them lead active and healthy lives as they grow up.

Why do schools teach religious education?

To be able to understand their own beliefs and values, children need to learn about and respond to the beliefs and values of others. In religious education (RE) children learn about the main religions in this country, particularly Christianity. Teachers aim to help children some questions that cause people to wonder are difficult to answer.

Why do schools teach personal, social and health education (PSHE) and citizenship?

To lead independent, happy lives, children must develop their self-confidence. This involves taking responsibility for their own health and well-being. In this subject, children learn about these important life skills. They learn not only about their own rights, duties and responsibilities but also about the rights and responsibilities of others. Teaching aims to help them respect and value the richness and diversity of our society.

Primary schools do not have to teach PSHE and citizenship, but the government encourages them to do so. It might not be taught as a subject in its own right - it could be taught:

• through other subjects

• through special time set aside

• by creating special opportunities for children to take responsibility.

Sex and relationship education and drugs education

Your child's school has to provide a written statement about its sex and religious education (SRE) policy. This will say whether SRE will be taught and, if so, from what age. It will also explain what will be covered. The National Curriculum for science says that between the ages of 5 and 7 your child should learn that all animals, including humans, reproduce.

Schools:

• should consult parents when forming SRE policy

• view their work as supporting parents with SRE, not doing it for them

• are expected to protect children from inappropriate teaching and materials, in line with their age and cultural backgrounds, and ensure children learn about marriage.

In the National Curriculum for science children learn that some drugs can be good for the body (medicines) and others harmful (prohibited drugs). At this age many schools use teaching about personal, social and health education and citizenship to help children think about treating others with consideration and resisting unwanted pressure - important foundations for later teaching about SRE and drugs education.

The Education Act 1996 gives you the right to withdraw your child from all or part of sex education lessons. However, the law doesn't allow you to withdraw your child from the relevant aspects of science teaching.

Frequently asked questions

'What subjects are taught at key stage 1?'

At key stage 1, all state schools have to teach all the National Curriculum subjects in this book:

• English
• mathematics
• science
• design and technology
• information and communication technology
• history
• geography
• art and design
• music
• physical education.

They also have to teach religious education.

This guide also describes personal, social and health education and citizenship, which does not have to be taught - but many schools choose to teach it.

Not every subject will be taught in separate lessons.

'This book says that most children reach the 'target for every child' by age 7. But I'm worried that my child won't'.

In the key stage 1 section of this site, the 'targets for every child' in each subject describe what children should be able to know and do. Level 2 is the target for 7 year olds.

The aim of the targets is to give a level that most children should have reached by a certain age. There will always be some children below and others beyond the target.

If your child finds their work easy, talk to their teacher about which target they should be aiming for - they may need to aim higher. If your child is likely to find level 2 hard when they get to age 7, the school will tell you in good time. Every school must give parents an annual report on how their child is progressing in each National Curriculum subject. (The school is not obliged by law to give a level for each subject in this annual report, but some will.)

You may hear your child's teacher talking about level 2a, 2b or 2c. These are finer divisions of the level: 2a is high, 2c is low. If your child achieves level 2c at age 7, they will have to work hard to reach level 4 by the time they are aged 11.

If the school says that your child is likely to find it hard to reach the target, remember:

• children develop at different rates. Some may not reach the level at the given age, but will catch up later

• at the moment, however, your child may need extra help from their school and from you. Talk to their teacher about how you can help.

'What if my child has special educational needs?'

Help is available. For more information, see 'special educational needs' in the 'Teacher talk' section.

'Where can I find help if my child has health or social problems at school?'

School is about much more than learning: it's about your child growing up, making friends, growing in confidence. School might bring all kinds of questions: for example, what kind of uniform do you need to buy? If your child has asthma, how can the school help? This guide focuses on learning between the ages of 3 and 7, and doesn't try to look at the other questions in detail. But the section titled 'For more help on many topics' tells you where you can go for help with the other questions.

'I see there are tips in this guide, but I don't have time to do them all - will my child be left behind?'

No. The tips in this guide are there for you to complement the work of the school. Do as many tips as you feel able to do, but don't feel guilty about those you can't. The main thing is always to show an interest in what your child is learning at school. (But remember - even if you don't have time to do some tips, grandparents are often pleased to help.)

'My child seems to have difficulty keeping up at school and finds the work difficult. What can I do?'

Talk regularly to your child's teacher. You don't have to wait for a parents' evening: you can ask the school for an appointment with your child's teacher at any time. Find out more about what your child is doing at school and ask the teacher what your child could do at home to help their learning at school. See also 'special educational needs' in the section on 'Teacher talk'.

'My child's school doesn't seem to be teaching all the subjects in this guide. Why?'

Primary schools have to teach all but one of the subjects explained in this guide. Schools must teach religious education and all the National Curriculum subjects. Schools are expected to teach a daily literacy hour, a daily maths lesson, and PE every week. But:

• schools don't have to teach the other subjects every week. As long as they cover the curriculum, it is up to them. So your child's school might teach some subjects in blocks

• schools don't have to call the subjects by the names in this guide. For example, they might teach some geography and history together and give it a more child-friendly name, such as 'our neighbourhood'.

Personal, social and health education and citizenship is an optional subject.

'I hear a lot about the literacy hour and the daily mathematics lesson. What are they?'

These are important elements of the National Primary Strategy, which helps teachers use the best methods for teaching, especially in English and mathematics. Evidence shows that children learn reading, writing and maths best when there is separate time set aside for them, which is why the National Primary Strategy recommends a literacy hour and mathematics lesson daily. Your child's school will be able to give you more information about the National Primary Strategy and what it recommends for children at different ages.

'I see there are national tests only in English and maths. Does this mean the other subjects are less important?'

All the National Curriculum subjects are very important: they all contribute to your child's education in different ways. English and maths are tested because, although the other subjects are important, these are the ones that provide the strongest foundation for future learning, so it is important that parents can be completely certain their children are making good progress in those subjects.

'What is a home-school agreement?'

Your child's school should give you a written home-school agreement, setting out the school's aims and values. The agreement will list the school's responsibilities, your responsibilities, and what the school expects of its pupils. Each school's agreement is different but all should cover the importance of regular and punctual attendance, discipline and good behaviour, and homework.

Your support and encouragement are very important to your child's progress and the home-school agreement will help you to work with the school. Schools have to review their agreements every two or three years and must consult parents before making any changes. You will be asked to sign a copy of the agreement. If you don't feel you can sign it, you don't have to. Please talk to the school about it.

'Will my child be taught sex and relationship education?'

This depends on the school's policy. Find out more in the section on 'Sex and relationship education and drugs education'.

'Should I help my child with their homework?'

• Take advice from your child's teacher about how much help you should give with the work itself. Depending on your child, it may be helpful to give them a hand with particular homework tasks. But an important aim of homework is to help children learn how to work independently, so it is helpful to encourage them, but not to do the work for them.

• If you haven't got a copy of the school's homework policy, do ask for one and check what it has to say.

• Make sure your child has a quiet space to do homework in, and help them to plan their time.

'My child just wants to watch television instead of doing homework. Help!'

Television can encourage learning if chosen carefully. For example, some wildlife documentaries are excellent introductions to important topics in science and geography. Schools don't always have time to show these kinds of television programmes in full. So if your child watches them, this will add to their school learning. In this guide you will find tips that make good use of television - often in ways that encourage your child to note or discuss what they see.

However, homework is important and sometimes it may be demanding. On many occasions it will be best simply to turn the TV off (or video the programme!), and give your child both encouragement and support when they are not motivated.

RE

Because RE doesn't have a fixed national curriculum like other subjects, it doesn't have national targets either. But there are some suggested levels designed to help teachers decide where children stand. These levels suggest that around age 7, most children are able to:

• Retell religious stories, identify some religious beliefs and teachings, and know that some are characteristic of more than one religion.

• Suggest meanings in religious symbols, language and stories.

• Respond sensitively to the experiences and feelings of others, including those with a faith, and to other people's values and ideas of right and wrong

• Realise that some questions that cause people to wonder are difficult to answer.