Curriculum articles
Help! My child doesn’t want to go on school swimming lessons
Students in primary school are required to learn to swim, which is a difficult part of the curriculum for water-shy children to float through. Be prepared by finding out what the learning targets are, what responsibilities your school has, and how to help your child feel confident about taking the plunge.
Reading comprehension explained for parents
Once your child can read they’ll be working on understanding what they read and really engaging with words in their literacy lessons. Reading comprehension is also a big part of SATs. Teacher Alice Hart explains how you can help boost your child’s skills at home.
An overview of the English education system
A parents' guide to the key stages and assessments within the structure of the education system in England.
An overview of the Scottish education system
How does the school education system work in Scotland? What are the differences between the National Curriculum and the Curriculum for Excellence? We explain how students are assessed within both systems in the UK.
An overview of the Welsh education system
A quick guide for parents about how the education system in Wales is structured, plus information about the National Reading and Numeracy Tests and the new curriculum for Wales, due to be introduced from nursery to Year 7 in 2022.
An overview of the Northern Irish educational system
Understand more about the curriculum used in Northern Ireland and how students are assessed with this brief guide.
11 things parents need to know about the National Curriculum
It’s the basis for what your child learns every day, but what exactly is the National Curriculum and what does it teach? Education writer and primary teacher Phoebe Doyle offers some clarity.
What your child learns in Year 6 maths, English and science
Year 6 means the next round of SATs exams! Start revising by knowing what the learning targets are for the new year, reviewing what was taught in Years 3, 4 and 5, and giving your child SATs practice papers and past exams.
What your child learns in Year 5 maths, English and science
Understanding the new things your child will be learning in Year 5 can prepare both of you for the months ahead, and make homework sessions much easier. Read our quick guide to Year 5 maths, English and science to be ready for the new challenges.
What your child learns in Year 4 maths, English and science
Help your child prepare for the concepts and topics covered in Year 4 by knowing ahead of time what they’ll be learning in class.
What your child learns in Year 3 maths, English and science
Starting Year 3 also means entering a new Key Stage. Read on to find out what your child’s maths, English and science lessons will be like, and how they can keep up their studies outside of school with free Year 3 worksheets.
What your child learns in Year 2 maths, English and science
Year 2 is when your child will take their Key Stage 1 SATs exams, but what does that mean? What will they learn? And how can you help? Find out in our parents’ guide.
What your child learns in Year 1 maths, English and science
Be prepared for what your child will learn in Year 1 with our quick reference guide to the key concepts and skills they’ll cover in class – find out how you can help them at home, too!
What your child learns in Reception year
Understand what your child is learning in their first year of school, and find out how you can help them do their best.
Sports Day cringe stories
It’s supposed to be one of the highlights of the school calendar, but in reality sports day is ripe with opportunities for humiliation. From finishing line tantrums to trackside arguments, six mums share their shame with TheSchoolRun.
What are key stages?
One of the terms you’ll hear most often during your child’s education is ‘key stage’, but what does it mean? We explain what you need to know.
What happens in Foundation Stage art
Find out what your child will learn in art, with lesson examples, and get tips on simple homework ideas that will help them get ahead of the class.
Year 1 English: what your child learns
In Year 1 everything starts to become a little more formal, as the freedom and play of Reception are replaced with more organised activities. Here are the topics your child will learn in their more structured English lessons.
Year 5 maths: what your child learns
From probability to polygons, find out what your child will learn about in maths in Year 5.
What your child will learn in Foundation Stage science
Science will be a key part of the curriculum for your child’s entire school career. So get them off to a flying start with this guide to what they’ll learn at Foundation Stage and how you can help.
Year 1 maths: what your child learns
Your guide to what your child will learn in maths now they’ve reached Key Stage 1.
Year 5 science: what your child learns
Your guide to what’s covered in the year 5 science curriculum.
What’s taught in Foundation Stage drama?
Your guide to what your child will learn in drama at nursery and school and what you can do to inspire your budding actor or actress at home.
Year 1 science: what your child learns
Got a budding little scientist in the family? Here’s what they will learn to develop their science skills and knowledge in Year 1.
Year 6 English: what your child learns
Find out what your child will be taught in Year 6 English and support their learning at home so they feel confident in their skills, ready for the move to secondary school.
What is taught in KS1 design and technology
Here’s your guide to the Key Stage 1 design and technology curriculum and how you can support your child's DT learning at home.
Reception English: what your child learns
Want to know how your child’s English skills are developed when they start school? Read on to find out.
Year 6 maths: what your child learns
Your child might be becoming quite the whiz with numbers by now. Find out how their maths knowledge will be developed in year 6.
What is covered in Key Stage 1 music?
Find out what your child will be learning at school and how you can encourage their love of music at home.
Reception maths: what your child learns
It’s amazing how much your child will learn about maths in the first year of school. Here’s a rundown of the main topics so you know what to expect.
Year 6 science: what your child learns
Your guide to what your child’s Year 6 teacher will cover in science lessons.
What your child learns in Key Stage 2 music
Find out what your child will be taught in music lessons and how to build on that at home with your budding musician.
Reception science: what your child learns
Unsure what the science curriculum covers in Reception? Read on to find out.
Year 7 English: what your child learns
Your child has made the big leap to secondary school and KS3. So what will they learn in their new Year 7 English classes?
What your child learns in Key Stage 3 drama
Do you have a bright young star in the family? Find out what your child will be taught in drama lessons and how you can extend this learning at home.
Year 2 English: what your child learns
Are you keen to keep up with what your child is learning in English lessons? You can, with this guide to classes in Year 2.
Year 7 maths: what your child learns
As your budding mathematician moves up to secondary school and starts KS3 maths, what new skills will they learn?
What your child learns in the Early Years Foundation Stage
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the programme which must be followed in all childcare settings from birth to five years, so for schools this means nursery and Reception.
Year 2 maths: what your child learns
Your guide to what’s covered in the maths curriculum in Year 2, from partitioning to pictograms.
Year 7 science: what your child learns
As your child moves up to secondary school, Year 7 science lessons can change a lot as children start working in labs like proper little scientists. Here’s an insight into what they’ll learn In KS3 science.