Overview of the Primary Curriculum

Based on National Curriculum published in September 2013

This document contains 6 A3 sheets, each of which

presents an outline of the content of the new
National Curriculum from 2014
Core subjects (English, Maths & Science) are
presented in a year-by-year format, based on the
outlines given in the National Curriculum. History is
also presented in this format, based on a suggested
programme.
All other subjects are presented in two-year sections,
dividing KS2 into Lower and Upper Key Stages.
It should be noted that it is only statutorily required to
cover each Key Stage’s content by the end of the key
stage. It is for schools to decide on the most
appropriate ordering for their situation.

Organised by Michael Tidd, 2013

 Curriculum Overview for Year 1
English Art & Design (KS1) Computing (KS1)
Reading Writing Grammar
Match graphemes for all phonemes Name letters of the alphabet Leave spaces between words  Use a range of materials  Understand use of algorithms
Read accurately by blending Spell very common ‘exception’ Begin to use basic  Use drawing, painting and sculpture  Write & test simple programs
sounds words punctuation: . ? !
 Develop techniques of colour, pattern, texture,  Use logical reasoning to make
Read words with very common Spell days of the week Use capital letters for
line, shape, form and space predictions
suffixes Use very common prefixes & proper nouns.
Read contractions & understand suffixes Use common plural & verb suffixes  Learn about range of artists, craftsmen and  Organise, store, retrieve & manipulate data
purpose Form lower case letters correctly Speaking & Listening designers
 Communicate online safely and respectfully
Read phonics books aloud Form capital letters & digits Listen & respond appropriately
Link reading to own experiences Compose sentences orally before Ask relevant questions  Recognise uses of IT outside of school
Join in with predictable phrases writing Maintain attention & participate
Discuss significance of title & Read own writing to peers or Design & Technology (KS1) Geography (Y1)
events teachers  Design purposeful, functional & appealing
Make simple predictions products  Name & locate
the four countries and capital cities of the
 Generate, model & communicate ideas
Mathematics United Kingdom using atlases & globes
Number/Calculation Geometry & Measures  Use range of tools & materials to  identify seasonal / daily weather patterns in
Count to / across 100 Use common vocabulary for Describe position & movement, complete practical tasks the UK and the location of hot and cold areas
Count in 1s, 2s, 5s and 10s comparison, e.g. heavier, taller, including half and quarter turns  Evaluate existing products & own ideas of the world
Identify ‘one more’ and ‘one less’ full, longest, quickest  Use basic geographical vocabulary to refer to
Read & write numbers to 20 Begin to measure length, Fractions  Build and improve structure & mechanisms local & familiar features
Use language, e.g. ‘more than’, capacity, weight Recognise & use ½ & ¼  Understand where food comes from  Use four compass directions & simple vocab
‘most’ Recognise coins & notes
Use +, - and = symbols Use time & ordering vocabulary Modern Languages Music (KS1)
Know number bonds to 20 Tell the time to hour/half-hour
 Sing songs
add and subtract one-digit and Use language of days, weeks,
two-digit numbers to 20, including months & years
 Play tuned & untuned instruments musically
zero Recognise & name common 2-d
Solve one-step problems, including and 3-d shapes  Listen & understand live and recorded
simple arrays Order & arrange objects Not required at KS1 music

Science History (KS1)  Make and combine sounds musically

Biology Key Concepts
Identify basic plants Changes in living memory (linked to aspects of
Identify basic plant parts (roots, leaves, flowers, etc.) national life where appropriate)
Identify & compare common animals Physical Education (KS1) Religious Education
Identify & name basic body parts Key Individuals
Lives of significant historical figures,  Master basic
Chemistry including comparison of those from movement, e.g. running, jumping, throwing,
Distinguish between objects & materials different periods catching, balance, agility and co-ordination
Identify & name common materials Significant local people
Describe simple properties of some materials  Participate in team games Continue to follow locally-
Compare & classify materials agreed syllabus for RE
Key Events
e.g. Bonfire night  Perform dances using simple movement
Physics
Events of local importance
Observe weather associated with changes of season  Swimming proficiency at 25m (KS1 or KS2)
 Curriculum Overview for Year 2
English Art & Design (KS1) Computing (KS1)
Reading Writing Grammar
Develop phonics until decoding Spell by segmenting into phonemes Use . ! ? , and ’  Use a range of materials  Understand use of algorithms
secure Learn to spell common ‘exception’ Use simple conjunctions  Use drawing, painting and sculpture  Write & test simple programs
Read common suffixes words Begin to expand
 Develop techniques of colour, pattern, texture,  Use logical reasoning to make
Read & re-read phonic-appropriate Spell using common suffixes, etc. noun phrases
line, shape, form and space predictions
books Use appropriate size letters & Use some features of
Read common ‘exception’ words spaces standard English  Learn about range of artists, craftsmen and  Organise, store, retrieve & manipulate data
Discuss & express views about Develop positive attitude & Speaking & Listening designers
 Communicate online safely and respectfully
fiction, non-fiction & poetry stamina for writing Articulate & Justify answers
Become familiar with & retell Begin to plan ideas for writing Initiate & respond to comments  Recognise uses of IT outside of school
stories Record ideas sentence-by-sentence Use spoken language to develop
Ask & answer questions; make Make simple additions & changes understanding Design & Technology (KS1) Geography (Y2)
predictions after proof-reading  Design purposeful, functional & appealing
Begin to make inferences products  Name & locate
world’s continents and oceans
 Generate, model & communicate ideas
Mathematics  Compare local area to a non-European country
 Use range of tools & materials to  Use basic vocabulary to describe a less familiar
Number/Calculation Geometry & Measures Fractions
complete practical tasks area
Know 2, 5, 10x tables Know and use standard measures Find and write simple fractions
Begin to use place value (T/U) Read scales to nearest whole unit Understand equivalence of e.g.  Evaluate existing products & own ideas  Use aerial images and other models to create
Count in 2s, 3s, 5s & 10s Use symbols for £ and p and 2/4 = 1/2 simple plans and maps, using symbols
 Build and improve structure & mechanisms  Use simple fieldwork and observational skills to
Identify, represent & estimate add/subtract simple sums of less Data
numbers than £1 or in pounds Interpret simple tables &  Understand where food comes from study the immediate environment
Compare / order numbers, inc. < > Tell time to the nearest 5 minutes pictograms
= Identify & sort 2-d & 3-d shapes Ask & answer comparison Modern Languages Music (KS1)
Write numbers to 100 Identify 2-d shapes on 3-d questions  Sing songs
Know number facts to 20 (+ related surfaces Ask & answer questions
to 100) Order and arrange mathematical about totalling  Play tuned & untuned instruments musically
Use x and ÷ symbols objects
 Recognise commutative property Use terminology of position &  Listen & understand live and
of multiplication movement Not required at KS1 recorded music

 Make and combine sounds musically

Science History (KS1)
Biology Key Concepts
Differentiate living, Changes in living memory (linked to aspects of
dead and non-living national life where appropriate)
Growing plants (water, light, warmth) Physical Education (KS1) Religious Education
Basic needs of animals & offspring Key Individuals
Simple food chains & habitats Lives of significant historical figures,  Master basic
including comparison of those from movement, e.g. running, jumping, throwing,
Chemistry different periods catching, balance, agility and co-ordination
Identify and compare uses of different materials Significant local people
Continue to follow locally-
Compare how things move on different surfaces  Participate in team games
agreed syllabus for RE
Key Events
e.g. Bonfire night  Perform dances using simple movement
Events of local importance
 Swimming proficiency at 25m (KS1 or KS2)
 Curriculum Overview for Year 3
English Art & Design (LKS2) Computing (LKS2)
Reading Writing Grammar
Use knowledge to read ‘exception’ Use prefixes & suffixes in spelling Use range of conjunctions  Use sketchbooks to collect, record and evaluate  Design & write programs to achieve specific
words Use dictionary to confirm spellings Use perfect tense ideas goals, including solving problems
Read range of fiction & non-fiction Write simple dictated sentences Use range of nouns &  Improve mastery of techniques such as drawing,  Use logical reasoning
Use dictionaries to check meaning Use handwriting joins appropriately pronouns painting and sculpture with varied materials
Prepare poems & plays to perform Plan to write based on familiar Use time connectives  Understand computer networks
Check own understanding of Introduce speech punctuation  Learn about great artists, architects & designers
forms  Use internet safely and appropriately
reading Rehearse sentences orally for Know language of clauses
Draw inferences & make  Collect and present data appropriately
writing Speaking & Listening
predictions Use varied rich vocabulary Give structured descriptions
Retrieve & record information from Create simple settings & plot Participate activity in conversation
non-fiction books Assess effectiveness of own and Consider & evaluate Design & Technology (LKS2) Geography (LKS2)
Discuss reading with others others’ writing different viewpoints  Use research& criteria to develop products which
are fit for purpose  Locate world’s
countries, focussing on Europe & Americas
 Use annotated sketches and
Mathematics prototypes to explain ideas
focus on key physical & human features
Number/Calculation Geometry & Measures Fractions & decimals  Study a region of the UK (not local area)
Learn 3, 4 & 8x tables Measure & calculate with metric Use & count in tenths  Evaluate existing products and  Use 8 points of compass, symbols & keys
Secure place value to 100 measures Recognise, find & write fractions improve own work  Describe & understand climate, rivers,
Mentally add & subtract units, tens Measure simple perimeter Recognise some equivalent  Use mechanical systems in own work mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes,
or hundreds to numbers of up to 3 Add/subtract using money in fractions settlements, trade links, etc.
 Understand seasonality; prepare & cook  Use fieldwork to observe, measure & record
digits context Add/subtract fractions up to <1
mainly savoury dishes
Written column addition & Use Roman numerals up to XII; Order fractions with common
subtraction tell time denominator Modern Languages (LKS2) Music (LKS2)
Solve number problems, including Calculate using simple time Data
multiplication & simple division problems Interpret bar charts &  Listen & engage  Use voice &
and missing number problems Draw 2-d / Make 3-d shapes pictograms
 Ask & answer questions instruments with increasing accuracy, control
Use commutativity to help Identify and use right angles and expression
calculations Identify horizontal, vertical,  Speak in sentences using familiar vocabulary
 Improvise & compose music
perpendicular and parallel lines  Develop appropriate pronunciation
 Listen with attention to detail
 Show understanding of words & phrases  Appreciate wide range of live & recorded
Science History
Biology British History (taught chronologically)  Appreciate stories, songs, poems & rhymes music
Plants, incl. parts,  Stone Age to Iron Age Britain, including:  Broaden vocabulary  Begin to develop understanding of history
lifecycle and requirements for life - hunter-gatherers and early farmers
Animals: skeletons & nutrition - Bronze age religion, technology & travel Physical Education (LKS2) Religious Education
- Iron age hill forts  Use running,
Chemistry jumping, catching
Classification of rock types and throwing in isolation and in combination
Simple understanding of fossilisation  Play competitive games, modified as appropriate
Broader History Study Continue to follow locally-
 Develop flexibility & control in gym, dance &
Physics  A local history study, e.g. agreed syllabus for RE
athletics
Sources of light; shadows & reflections - A depth study linked to a studied period
Simple forces, including magnetism - A study over a period of time  Compare performances to achieve personal
- A post-1066 study of a relevant period in bests
local history  Swimming proficiency at 25m (KS1 or KS2)
 Curriculum Overview for Year 4
English Art & Design (LKS2) Computing (LKS2)
Reading Writing Grammar
Secure decoding of unfamiliar Correctly spell common Use wider range of conjunctions  Use sketchbooks to collect, record and evaluate  Design & write programs to achieve specific
words homophones Use perfect tense appropriately ideas goals, including solving problems
Read for a range of purposes Increase regularity of handwriting Select pronouns and  Improve mastery of techniques such as drawing,  Use logical reasoning
Retell some stories orally Plan writing based on familiar nouns for clarity painting and sculpture with varied materials
Discuss words & phrases that forms Use & punctuate  Understand computer networks
capture the imagination Organise writing into paragraphs direct speech  Learn about great artists, architects & designers
 Use internet safely and appropriately
Identify themes & conventions Use simple organisational devices Use commas after front adverbials
Retrieve & record information Proof-read for spelling & Speaking & Listening  Collect and present data appropriately
Make inferences & justify punctuation errors Articulate & justify opinions
predictions Evaluate own and others’ writing Speak audibly in Standard English
Recognise a variety of forms of Read own writing aloud Gain, maintain & Design & Technology (LKS2) Geography (LKS2)
poetry monitor interest of  Use research& criteria to develop products which
Identify & summarise ideas listeners are fit for purpose  Locate world’s
 Use annotated sketches and countries, focussing on Europe & Americas
Mathematics prototypes to explain ideas focus on key physical & human features
Number/Calculation Geometry & Measures Fractions & decimals  Study a region of the UK (not local area)
 Evaluate existing products and  Use 8 points of compass, symbols & keys
Compare 2-d shapes, including improve own work
Know all tables to 12 x 12 quadrilaterals & triangles Recognise tenths & hundredths  Describe & understand climate, rivers,
Secure place value to 1000 Find area by counting squares Identify equivalent fractions  Use mechanical systems in own work mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, water
Calculate rectangle perimeters cycle, settlements, trade links, etc.
Use negative whole numbers Add & subtract fractions with  Understand seasonality; prepare & cook mainly
 Use fieldwork to observe, measure & record
Round numbers to nearest 10, 100 Estimate & calculate measures common denominators savoury dishes
or 1000 Identify acute, obtuse & right Recognise common equivalents
Use Roman numerals to 100 (C) angles Round decimals to whole Modern Languages (LKS2) Music (LKS2)
Column addition & subtraction up Identify symmetry numbers  Listen & engage
to 4 digits Use first quadrant coordinates Solve money problems  Use voice &
 Ask & answer questions instruments with increasing accuracy, control
Multiply & divide mentally Introduce simple translations
 Speak in sentences using familiar vocabulary and expression
Use standard short multiplication Data
Use bar charts, pictograms & line  Improvise & compose music
 Develop appropriate pronunciation
graphs  Listen with attention to detail
 Show understanding of words & phrases
Science History  Appreciate wide range of live & recorded
Biology British History (taught chronologically)  Appreciate stories, songs, poems & rhymes music
Classify living things  Roman Empire & impact on Britain:  Broaden vocabulary  Begin to develop understanding of history
Digestive system & teeth - Julius Caesar’s attempted invasion
Food chains - Roman Empire & successful invasion
- British resistance, e.g. Boudicca
Physical Education (LKS2) Religious Education
- Romanisation of Britain  Use running,
Chemistry jumping, catching
Changes of state and throwing in isolation and in combination
The water cycle  Play competitive games, modified as appropriate
Continue to follow locally-
Broader History Study  Develop flexibility & control in gym, dance &
agreed syllabus for RE
Physics  Earliest ancient civilisations, i.e. athletics
Sound as vibrations - Ancient Sumer;  Compare performances to achieve personal
Electricity: simple circuits & conductors - Indus Valley; bests
- Ancient Egypt; or
 Swimming proficiency at 25m (KS1 or KS2)
- Shang Dynasty of Ancient China
 Curriculum Overview for Year 5
English Art & Design (UKS2) Computing (UKS2)
Reading Writing Grammar
Apply knowledge of morphology & Secure spelling, inc. homophones, Use expanded noun phrases  Use sketchbooks to collect, record, review, revisit  Design & write programs to solve problems
etymology when reading new prefixes, silent letters, etc. Use modal & passive verbs & evaluate ideas
 Use sequences, repetition, inputs,
words Use a thesaurus Use relative clauses  Improve mastery of techniques such as drawing, variables and outputs in programs
Reading & discuss a broad range of Legible, fluent handwriting Use commas for clauses painting and sculpture with varied materials
genres & texts Plan writing to suit audience & Use brackets, dashes  Detect & correct errors in programs
Identifying & discussing themes purpose  Learn about great artists, architects & designers
& commas for parenthesis  Understand uses of networks for collaboration
Make recommendations to others Develop character, setting and Speaking & Listening & communication
Learn poetry by heart atmosphere in narrative Give well-structured explanations
Draw inference & make predictions Use organisational & presentational Command of Standard English  Be discerning in evaluating digital content
Discuss authors’ use of language features Consider & evaluate
Retrieve & present information Use consistent appropriate tense different viewpoints Design & Technology (UKS2) Geography (UKS2)
from non-fiction texts. Proof-reading Use appropriate  Use research& criteria to develop products which
Formal presentations & debates Perform own compositions register are fit for purpose and aimed at specific groups  Name & locate
counties, cities, regions & features of UK
 Use annotated sketches, cross-section
 Understand latitude, longitude, Equator,
diagrams & computer-aided design
Mathematics hemispheres, tropics, polar circles & time zones
 Analyse & evaluate existing  Study a region of Europe, and of the Americas
Number/Calculation Geometry & Measures Fractions
products and improve own work  Understand biomes, vegetation belts, land use,
Secure place value to Convert between different units Compare & order fractions
1,000,000 Calculate perimeter of composite Add & subtract fractions with  Use mechanical & electrical systems in economic activity, distribution of resources, etc.
Use negative whole numbers in shapes & area of rectangles common denominators, with own products, including programming  Use 4- and 6-figure grid references on OS maps
context Estimate volume & capacity mixed numbers  Cook savoury dishes for a healthy & varied diet  Use fieldwork to record & explain areas
Use Roman numerals to 1000 (M) Identify 3-d shapes Multiply fractions by units
Use standard written methods for Measure & identify angles Write decimals as fractions Modern Languages (UKS2) Music (UKS2)
all four operations Understand regular polygons Order & round decimal numbers
Confidently add & subtract Reflect & translate shapes Link percentages to  Listen & engage  Perform with
mentally Data fractions & decimals  Engage in conversations, expressing opinions control & expression solo & in ensembles
Use vocabulary of prime, factor & Interpret tables & line graphs  Speak in simple language & be understood  Improvise & compose using
multiple Solve questions about line graphs  Develop appropriate pronunciation dimensions of music
Multiply & divide by powers of ten  Present ideas & information orally
Use square and cube numbers  Show understanding in simple reading  Listen to detail and recall aurally
Science History  Adapt known language to create new ideas  Use & understand basics of staff notation
Biology British History (taught chronologically)  Describe people, places & things  Develop an understanding of the history of
Life cycles of plants  Anglo-Saxons & Vikings, including:  Understand basic grammar, e.g. gender music, including great musicians & composers
& animals (inc. mammal, insect, bird, amphibian) - Roman withdrawal from Britain; Scots invasion
Describe changes as humans develop & mature - Invasions, settlements & kingdoms Physical Education (UKS2) Religious Education
- Viking invasions; Danegald  Use running,
Chemistry - Edward the Confessor jumping, catching
Classify materials according to a variety of properties and throwing in isolation and in combination
Understand mixtures & solutions  Play competitive games, applying basic principles Continue to follow locally-
Know about reversible changes; identify irreversible Broader History Study  Develop flexibility & control in gym, dance & agreed syllabus for RE
 Ancient Greece, i.e. athletics
Physics - A study of Greek life and achievements and  Take part in Outdoor & Adventurous activities
Understand location and interaction of Sun, Earth & their influence on the western world  Compare performances to achieve personal
Moon bests
Introduce gravity, resistance & mechanical forces  Swimming proficiency at 25m (KS1 or KS2)
 Curriculum Overview for Year 6
English Art & Design (UKS2) Computing (UKS2)
Reading Writing Grammar
Read a broad range of genres Use knowledge of morphology & Use appropriate register/ style  Use sketchbooks to collect, record, review, revisit  Design & write programs to solve problems
Recommend books to others etymology in spelling Use the passive voice for purpose & evaluate ideas
 Use sequences, repetition, inputs,
Make comparisons within/across Develop legible personal Use features to convey  Improve mastery of techniques such as drawing, variables and outputs in programs
books handwriting style & clarify meaning painting and sculpture with varied materials
Support inferences with evidence Plan writing to suit audience & Use full punctuation  Detect & correct errors in programs
Summarising key points from texts purpose; use models of writing Use language of subject/object  Learn about great artists, architects & designers
 Understand uses of networks for collaboration
Identify how language, structure, Develop character & setting in Speaking & Listening & communication
etc. contribute to meaning narrative Use questions to build knowledge
Select grammar & vocabulary for  Be discerning in evaluating digital content
Discuss use of language, inc. Articulate arguments & opinions
figurative effect Use spoken language to speculate,
Discuss & explain reading, Use a wide range of cohesive hypothesise & explore Design & Technology (UKS2) Geography (UKS2)
providing reasoned justifications devices Use appropriate  Use research& criteria to develop products which
for views Ensure grammatical consistency register & language are fit for purpose and aimed at specific groups  Name & locate
counties, cities, regions & features of UK
 Use annotated sketches, cross-section
Mathematics diagrams & computer-aided design  Understand latitude, longitude, Equator,
Number/Calculation Geometry & Measures Fractions, decimals & percentages hemispheres, tropics, polar circles & time zones
Secure place value & Confidently use a range of Compare & simplify fractions  Analyse & evaluate existing  Study a region of Europe, and of the Americas
rounding to 10,000,000, including measures & conversions Use equivalents to add fractions products and improve own work  Understand biomes, vegetation belts, land use,
negatives Calculate area of triangles / Multiply simple fractions  Use mechanical & electrical systems in own economic activity, distribution of resources, etc.
All written methods, including long parallelograms Divide fractions by whole products, including programming  Use 4- and 6-figure grid references on OS maps
division Use area & volume formulas numbers  Use fieldwork to record & explain areas
Use order of operations (not  Cook savoury dishes for a healthy & varied diet
Classify shapes by properties Solve problems using decimals &
indices) Know and use angle rules percentages Modern Languages (UKS2) Music (UKS2)
Identify factors, multiples & primes Translate & reflect shapes, using Use written division up to 2dp
Solve multi-step number problems all four quadrants Introduce ratio &  Listen & engage  Perform with
proportion  Engage in conversations, expressing opinions control & expression solo & in ensembles
Algebra Data  Speak in simple language & be understood  Improvise & compose using
Introduce simple use of unknowns Use pie charts  Develop appropriate pronunciation dimensions of music
Calculate mean averages  Present ideas & information orally
 Show understanding in simple reading  Listen to detail and recall aurally
Science History  Adapt known language to create new ideas  Use & understand basics of staff notation
Biology British History (taught chronologically)  Describe people, places & things  Develop an understanding of the history of
Classification,  An extended period study, e.g.  Understand basic grammar, e.g. gender music, including great musicians & composers
including micro-organisms - The changing power of monarchs
Health & Lifestyles, incl. circulatory system - Significant turning points in British history Physical Education (UKS2) Religious Education
Evolution & Adaptation - Crime & punishment  Use running,
- Leisure jumping, catching
and throwing in isolation and in combination
Physics  Play competitive games, applying basic principles Continue to follow locally-
Light & Shadows; the eye Broader History Study  Develop flexibility & control in gym, dance & agreed syllabus for RE
Forces, including gravity  Non-European society, i.e. athletics
Electricity: investigating circuits - Islamic civilization, including Baghdad  Take part in Outdoor & Adventurous activities
- Mayan civilization  Compare performances to achieve personal
- Benin (West Africa) bests
 Swimming proficiency at 25m (KS1 or KS2)