The national curriculum outlines the set standards for schools to meet and where students should be with regards to their development. It’s a pretty handy tool for parents too as it helps them to support their child’s learning at home. There are a few differences that you’ll find from school to school as programmes are dependent on location and type of school as private schools have their own curriculum. An independent school in Cheshire has some fantastic guidance on this to help you understand your child’s curriculum better.
Key Stages
The national curriculum is categorised into key stages which highlights the subjects that children should be taught and the skills that they are expected to build. This goes from early years when they are in nursery or pre-prep school to KS4 (GCSE years).
How Do I Access This Information?
Information regarding the national curriculum can be found on Gov.uk but it’s always best to check with your child’s school so that you know which exactly they follow. You can do this by checking out their website or simply speaking to your child’s teacher. It will give you an idea as to how they’re getting on and find out whether they’re on track.
Parents find online communities and forums handy too. You can learn about the issues other parents have run into and their tips for helping children with their work. Many share resources and lesson plans that you can use as an aid.
Lastly, you can also speak to your child. Having an open and honest conversation where you ask them about school and how their finding things can help you to see whether further support is needed. That way you can learn about their perspective and show them how invested you are while learning a fact or two.