What Is the National Curriculum? KS3 Subjects Explained for Parents

The National Curriculum is the government's statutory framework specifying what all maintained schools in England must teach, from age 5 to 16. At Key Stage 3 — Years 7, 8, and 9 — schools must deliver a set of compulsory subjects, though they retain freedom over how lessons are taught.

What is the purpose of the National Curriculum?

The National Curriculum exists to ensure that every pupil in a state school in England receives a broadly consistent education, regardless of where they live or which school they attend. It defines the programmes of study for each subject — the knowledge, skills and concepts pupils should acquire at each stage — and the attainment targets against which they are assessed.

The curriculum is set by the Department for Education and applies to all maintained schools (community, foundation, and voluntary-aided schools). Academies and free schools are not legally required to follow it, though most choose to do so — or use it as the basis for their own curriculum.

What are the Key Stages of the National Curriculum?

The curriculum is divided into four Key Stages:

Key Stage | Year groups | Approximate ages
Key Stage 1 (KS1) | Years 1–2 | 5–7
Key Stage 2 (KS2) | Years 3–6 | 7–11
Key Stage 3 (KS3) | Years 7–9 | 11–14
Key Stage 4 (KS4) | Years 10–11 | 14–16

This guide focuses on Key Stage 3, the transition period between primary school and the GCSE years.

Which subjects are compulsory at KS3?

The National Curriculum specifies the following compulsory subjects at Key Stage 3:

Subject | Notes
English | Includes reading, writing, grammar, spoken language, and literature
Mathematics | Covers number, algebra, ratio, geometry, probability, and statistics
Science | Taught as combined science or as separate Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
History | British history, world history, and historical skills
Geography | Physical and human geography, fieldwork, map skills
Art and Design | Drawing, painting, sculpture, design principles
Citizenship | Democracy, law, human rights, finance, and community
Computing | Programming, data, networks, digital literacy, and online safety
Design and Technology | Materials, electronics, food technology, and product design
Music | Performance, composition, and music theory
Physical Education (PE) | Team and individual sports, fitness, and health
Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) | At least one language; French, Spanish, and German are most common

In addition, Religious Education (RE) must be taught at all maintained schools under the Education Act 1996, though it is covered by local syllabuses rather than the National Curriculum directly. Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) — including relationships and sex education — is also statutory, though not technically part of the National Curriculum document.

How much time is spent on each subject?

The National Curriculum does not prescribe how many hours each subject must receive per week — that is left to individual schools. In practice, schools typically allocate lesson time broadly in proportion to subject importance in the following examinations (GCSEs). English, Maths, and Science tend to receive the most timetable time (often three to five lessons per week each), while foundation subjects like Art, Music, and DT typically receive one or two.

Do all schools in England follow the National Curriculum?

No — but most do. The curriculum is compulsory for:

Community schools

Foundation schools

Voluntary-aided and voluntary-controlled schools

Academies and free schools are exempt but must still teach a "broad and balanced curriculum" that includes English, Maths, and Science. In practice, the vast majority align closely with the National Curriculum, and all schools must teach RE and PSHE. Independent schools are not required to follow the National Curriculum at all, though many choose to do so.

How is KS3 assessed?

Unlike KS1 and KS2, there are no statutory national tests at the end of KS3. Schools assess pupils internally through classwork, homework, tests, and teacher assessment. Reports use the school's own grading system — which may be numerical (1–9 in line with GCSEs), descriptive (e.g. Working Below / At / Above Expected), or a combination. Parents should ask the school directly how they report progress if the system is unclear.

How does KS3 feed into GCSE choices?

Years 7 to 9 lay the foundation for GCSE study, which begins in Year 10. By the end of KS3, teachers have a clear picture of each pupil's strengths and areas for development, which informs the options process in Year 9 — when pupils choose which subjects to pursue to GCSE alongside the compulsory core (English Language, English Literature, Maths, and Sciences). Strong performance in KS3 opens the most doors at GCSE.

Frequently asked questions

Can a school drop a subject from the KS3 timetable?

Maintained schools cannot drop a National Curriculum subject entirely without a statutory reason — though they can combine subjects (for example, teaching History and Geography as a single Humanities block). Academies have more flexibility. If you believe a subject is not being taught, the school's curriculum plan (which must be published on its website) is the first place to check, and the headteacher is the right person to raise a concern with.

Why does my child study fewer subjects in Year 10 than Year 9?

At KS4 (Years 10–11), pupils continue compulsory English, Maths, and Science, but the remaining time is given over to GCSE options — typically four to five subjects chosen by the pupil. This means some KS3 subjects (such as Music, Art, History, and Geography) may no longer appear on the timetable unless the pupil opted for them. The breadth of KS3 is intentional; KS4 is where the curriculum narrows.

Is RE compulsory at KS3?

Yes. All maintained schools must provide Religious Education to pupils throughout Key Stages 1 to 4, under the Education Act 1996. At KS3 the content is determined by the local authority's agreed syllabus (or the relevant faith authority for faith schools), not the National Curriculum itself. RE does not have to lead to a GCSE, though many schools enter pupils for the short-course or full GCSE in Religious Studies.

My child's school says it follows its own curriculum — is that allowed?

If the school is an academy or free school, yes — it is legally permitted to set its own curriculum, provided it remains "broad and balanced" and covers English, Maths, Science, RE, and PSHE. Many academies devise enriched or thematically organised curricula that still cover all the required content. If you are concerned that an area is being neglected, ask to see the school's published curriculum plans, which should be available on the school's website.

For subject support at KS3 and GCSE, visit aitutors.me.