Key Stage 1 is a part of the National Curriculum that sets out which subjects have to be taught to children between the ages of 5 and 7 in Years 1 and 2 Key Stage 1 is taught in primary schools and core subjects such as English and Maths must be taught to comply with the National Curriculum in England.


What is significant to Key Stage 1?

At the end of Year 1, children have their phonics skills checked by reading 40 words to their teacher. At the end of Year 2 which marks the end of Key Stage 1, all children are required to take National Curriculum tests known as SATs (Standard Attainment Tests).

Your child’s abilities are formally assessed and their performance is measured against the level expected by the Government. Students are expected to score a standard 100 or above to be successful.


The tests taken in May of Year 2 at the end of Key Stage1 are:

  • English grammar, punctuation and spelling
  • English reading (reading and understanding text)
  • Mathematics (basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division)
  • Science assessments are based on classwork or in-school tests.