Key-Stages, the Numeracy Hour, and the National Curriculum

Over the last few years, the English state education system has been working towards a standardised National Curriculum. Under this system, the content of school-based education must comply broadly with guidelines issued by the British Government.

The National Curriculum is broken down into four Key Stages, each representing a level of educational achievement. There is no strict equivalence between specific key-stages and age-groups, but the broad guidelines indicate how a child with normal learning abilities might be expected to use key-stage materials:

Another part of the Government's policy requires that at the primary stage (usually age 5-11), every child must be given at least one hour tuition per day in basic numeracy skills - this is called "Numeracy Hour". There is also an equivalent requirement for a Literacy Hour.

For more details of the National Curriculum and statutory education requirements in England, please see the National Curriculum website.