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Understanding the Revised Curriculum

The Revised Curriculum sets out what your child will be taught at each stage of their time at school. Children aged four to 16 in all grant-aided schools must be taught the Revised Curriculum.

The Revised Curriculum - what it aims to do

All schools work to this programme to ensure a balanced and consistent education for every child.

It sets out:

  • the areas of learning to be taught
  • the cross-curricular and other skills every pupil should develop
  • the level of knowledge, understanding and skills to be developed in each area - known as minimum content
  • Levels of Progression - teachers will use these to assess your child's progress in developing skills of communication, using mathematics and ICT
  • How your child's progress is assessed and reported

Guidance and support materials for teachers are available through the Northern Ireland Curriculum website.

Guides for parents on the curriculum

The Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) have produced two booklets for parents of primary and post-primary children on the curriculum and what to expect when their child starts school. The booklets can be downloaded below.

The key stages

The curriculum is made up from five blocks of years called key stages.

These include a new Foundation Stage for the youngest children in Years 1 and 2 of primary education.

Age Stage Year Assessment
4-5 Foundation Year 1 Teacher assessment of learning and skills.
5-6 Foundation Year 2 Teacher assessment of learning and skills.
6-7 Key Stage 1 Year 3 Teacher assessment of learning and skills.
7-8 Key Stage 1 Year 4 Assessment in literacy and numeracy during autumn term using the InCAS computer system. Teacher assessment of learning and skills.
8-9 Key Stage 2 Year 5 Assessment in literacy and numeracy in autumn term using the InCAS computer system. Teacher assessment of learning and skills.
9-10 Key Stage 2 Year 6 Assessment in literacy and numeracy during autumn term using the InCAS computer system. Teacher assessment of learning and skills.
10-11 Key Stage 2 Year 7 Assessment in literacy and numeracy during autumn term using the InCAS computer system. Teacher assessment of learning and skills.
11-12 Key Stage 3 Year 8 Teacher assessment of learning and skills.
12-13 Key Stage 3 Year 9 Teacher assessment of learning and skills.
13-14 Key Stage 3 Year 10 Teacher assessment of learning and skills.
14-15 Key Stage 4 Year 11 Teacher assessment of learning and skills. Some children take GCSEs.
15-16 Key Stage 4 Year 12 Most children take GCSEs or other qualifications.

Minimum content

There is minimum content for each area of learning, which sets out the knowledge, understanding and skills that pupils should develop at each stage.

Assessment and reporting

Pupils in Years 4 to 7 will be assessed by computer in literacy and numeracy during the autumn term. The system being used for this is called InCAS (Interactive Computerised Assessment System).

You will be able to meet your child's teacher to discuss how they are doing and you will also receive their results in writing.

Towards the end of the school year, the teacher will assess your child’s progress in the areas of learning and in developing the skills. The teacher will look at how they are doing in the skills of communication and using mathematics.

You will still get an annual report telling you how your child is progressing, along with any strengths and areas for development to help you support your child's learning.

At the end of Key Stages 1, 2 and 3, pupils’ achievements in communication and using mathematics are assessed with reference to transitional Levels of Progression. Revised Levels of Progression are currently being finalised and, when they are introduced, pupils’ achievements in communication, using mathematics and using ICT will be assessed at the end of Key Stages 1, 2 and 3.

This will let parents know how their child is doing and whether they have reached the level expected for their age in areas such as reading, writing and mathematics.

More useful links

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