Information about Key Stage 2
Do you have a child in key stage 2? This guide aims to equip you with knowledge of what to expect as your child moves through the next stage of their learning journey at primary school.
What is Key Stage 2?
Key Stage 2 (KS2) is the part of the National Curriculum which is delivered to pupils in maintained schools across England in Years 3, 4, 5 6 (ages 7 to 11). Years 3 and 4 are often referred to as Lower Key Stage 2 (LKS2) with Years 5 and 6 being referred to as Upper Key Stage 2 (UKS2)
What is taught in Key Stage 2?
The compulsory subjects in the National Curriculum which were introduced at Key Stage 1(English, maths, science, design and technology, history, geography, art and design, music, physical education (PE and computing) continue to be taught in KS2 with foreign languages now becoming a compulsory subject. Primary schools must also provide relationships and health education and religious education (RE). As your child moves in to KS2, they will build upon the fundamentals set in KS1. Your child will start to learn more in depth and will develop their subject knowledge further.
Mathematics in KS2
Mathematics is one of the core subjects of the National Curriculum and – as in Key Stage 1- is normally taught on a daily basis in schools. The overarching aim of the national curriculum for maths is for children to become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, thus enabling them to justify and reason using mathematical language in addition to problem solving.
LKS2 Maths
In Years 3 and 4, the main focus of maths teaching is to develop your child’s fluency with whole numbers up to 10,000 and the four operations – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. They will continue to explore the concept of place value – the value of each digit in a number. Your child will begin to develop efficient written and mental methods to perform calculations accurately with increasingly large whole numbers. It is expected that by the end of LKS2, they will have memorised their multiplication tables up to and including the 12 times table.
The LKS2 maths curriculum is split into the following areas:
- Number and place value
- Addition and subtraction
- Multiplication and division
- Fractions (including decimals – Year 4)
- Measurement
- Properties of shapes
- Position and Direction (Year 4)
- Statistics
UKS2 Maths
The primary focus of mathematics teaching in Years 5 and 6 is to ensure that your child is able to extend their understanding of the number system and place value to include larger numbers. They will develop their ability to make connections between multiplication and division with fractions, decimals, percentages and ratio. Your child will continue to develop and consolidate efficient written and mental methods to solve a wider range of mathematical problems. Building upon this foundation in arithmetic, your child will also be introduced to the language of algebra as a means for solving a variety of problems.
It is expected that by the end of UKS2, your child will be fluent in written methods for all four operations, including long multiplication and division, and in working with fractions, decimals and percentages
The UKS2 maths curriculum is split into the following areas:
- Number and place value
- Addition and subtraction
- Multiplication and division
- Fractions (including decimals and percentages)
- Ratio and proportion (Year 6)
- Algebra (Year 6)
- Measurement
- Properties of shapes
- Position and Direction
- Statistics
English in KS2
English is also a core subject. The National Curriculum states that the principal aim for English in the national curriculum is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment. The programmes of study include reading, writing and spoken language.
LKS2 English
In reading, as your child’s decoding skills (sounding out of words) increase, teaching will focus more on developing their vocabulary. This will support them in becoming more independent and fluent readers who read widely and regularly. Your child will be developing their understanding and enjoyment of a wider range of stories, poetry, plays and non-fiction, in addition to learning to read silently. Their knowledge and skills in reading non-fiction about a wide range of subjects will also be developing. By the end of LKS2, It is expected that your child will be able to justify their views of what they have read with increasing independence.
In writing, your child will be building upon what they have learnt in key stage 1.
As they develop as writers, they will be writing for a range of purposes and be taught a wider variety of grammar and punctuation to enhance the effectiveness of what they write. Joined handwriting is an expectation; your child will be encouraged to use it so that they keep pace with what they want to say.
UKS2 English
In reading at UKS2, there is usually no need for further direct teaching of word reading skills for almost all pupils. Your child will be reading a wider range of age-appropriate poetry and books with an emphasis on increasing accuracy and reading at a reasonable speaking pace. Teaching will include: your child being able to infer meanings of unfamiliar words, developing the ability to discuss what they have read and summarising a familiar story in their own words.
In writing, your child will be developing their ability to write down their ideas quickly. The range of vocabulary that they will have gained through their wider reading will be enhancing the effectiveness of their writing. Your child will be further developing their understanding of the audience that they are writing for, becoming more adept at selecting appropriate vocabulary and grammar.
The following link (national curriculum) provides further information detailing the statutory requirements taught in each subject:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/425601/PRIMARY_national_curriculum.pdf
Key Stage 2 Exams
Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check
The multiplication tables check (MTC) is a statutory assessment to determine whether your child can recall their times tables fluently. It is undertaken towards the end of Year 4 – in June. The MTC is an on-screen check consisting of 25 times table questions. Your child will have 6 seconds to answer each question.
The following link provides further information for parents regarding the MTC.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/multiplication-tables-check-information-for-parents
Year 6 Statutory Assessment Tests (SATs)
Towards the end of Year 6, your child will undertake SATs. These are much more formal than those taken at the end of year 2, and are held on the same dates across the country under exam conditions. They are sent away to be marked externally. The tests take place over a period of 4 consecutive mornings, usually around the second week in May. The KS2 SATs include a number of elements: reading, mathematics and grammar, punctuation and spelling.
- Reading – consists of one paper which contains comprehension questions based on three different genres of text. Your child will have one hour to read all three texts and complete the questions.
- Grammar, punctuation, and spelling (GPS or SPaG) – consists of 2 papers
- Paper 1 – requires your child to identify and write sentences that have correct grammar, punctuation and vocabulary. This assesses them on their technical understanding of the English language. Your child will have 45 minutes to answer the questions.
- Paper 2 – is a spelling test in which your child is given 20 sentences with a missing word in each. The test transcript will be read out loud for children to correctly spell the missing words in their answer booklet. The test usually takes around 15 minutes but is not strictly timed.
- Maths – The maths test consists of two components (arithmetic and reasoning), undertaken as three test papers.
- Paper 1 is an arithmetic paper which will assess your child’s fluency in maths and their understanding of mathematical calculations. They will have 30 minutes to complete the test paper.
- Papers 2 and 3 are both reasoning papers and will assess your child’s ability to explain their mathematical reasoning and solve mathematical problems. They will have be 40 minutes to complete each test paper.
Your child’s teacher is also required to provide assessment data for your child’s attainment in writing and science.
The following link provides free downloads to past KS2 SATs papers.
www.sats-papers.co.uk/ks2-sats-papers
Preparation for 11+
As your child moves into UKS2, you will be considering your choice of secondary school. If your child wishes to attend one of Wirral’s grammar or independent schools, then they will have to sit an entrance exam. These take place around the third week in September.
Although the maths and English skills your child acquires during KS2 will be important, these entrance exams also include other measures of intelligence such as Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning tests.
At Space To Learn, we pride ourselves in offering fun and personalised booster sessions with our qualified Wirral tutors. Sessions on offer for KS2 children include curriculum support in reading, writing and maths; Year 6 SATs boosters and 11 plus entrance exam preparation for Calday Grammar, Wirral Grammar, West Kirby Grammar, St Anselm’s and Upton Hall Convent.
Admissions Assessment Familiarisation Guide (wirral.gov.uk) (11+)