Key Stage

For the Soviet anti-ship missile, see Raduga KS-1 Komet.

A Key Stage is a stage of the state education system in the UK setting the educational knowledge expected of students at various ages.

The stages are as follows:

Key Stage 0: Nursery and reception years (3-5 years old). More commonly known as the "Foundation Stage"
Key Stage 1: Years 1 to 2 (5-7 years old)
Key Stage 2: Years 3 to 6 (7-11 years old)
Key Stage 3: Years 7 to 9 (11-14 years old)
Key Stage 4: Years 10 to 11 (14-16 years old). The exams at the end are typically of the GCSE level.
Key Stage 5 (not such a commonly used term): Years 12 to 13 (16-18 years old). The exams at the end are typically A-Levels, AS-Levels, NVQs or HNDs.

The National Curriculum sets out targets to be achieved in various subject areas at each of the Key Stages.