Key Stage 3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Key Stage 3 is the legal term for the three years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales normally known as Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9, when pupils are aged between 11 and 14. This Key Stage normally covers pupils during their first three years of secondary education, although in some cases part or all of this stage may fall in a middle or high school.
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[edit] Legal Definition
The term is defined in the Education Act 2002 as "the period beginning at the same time as the school year in which the majority of pupils in his class attain the age of twelve and ending at the same time as the school year in which the majority of pupils in his class attain the age of fourteen".[1]
[edit] Purpose
The term is used to define the group of pupils who must follow the relevant programmes of study from the National Curriculum. All pupils in this Key Stage must follow a programme of education in at least 15 areas:[2]
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Design Technology
- History
- Geography
- Modern Foreign Language
- Art and Design
- Music
- Physical Education
- Citizenship
- Sex Education
- Careers Education
- Religious Education
At the end of this stage, pupils aged 14 - in Year 9 - are tested as part of the national programme of National Curriculum Tests, colloquially known as SATs. These tests cover English, Mathematics, Science and ICT. The tests are externally marked, with results for each school being published in DfES performance tables.
[edit] References
- ^ Defined in section 82 of the Education Act 2002
- ^ Set out on the National Curriculum website
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