The National Curriculum & P Scales
Why do we have a National Curriculum?
The National Curriculum is in place to make sure that all children receive the same education and standard of teaching in all schools.
What is the National Curriculum?
The National Curriculum must be taught to all children aged 5-16 in all Local Authority schools. It sets out the knowledge, skills and understanding needed in each subject. It provides standards to measure how well children are doing, to help teachers plan future learning.
The National Curriculum is broken down into four stages and the Foundation Stage for younger children.To help teachers know exactly how a child is progressing, levels can be broken down into;
- A - fully achieved
- B - almost there
- C - working on
National tests, known as SATs, are taken at the end of each stage when children are expected to reach a specific ‘level’.
| Key stage | Year group | Age | Expected level |
|---|---|---|---|
| KS1 | 1&2 | 5-7 | 2 |
| KS2 | 3-6 | 7-11 | 4 |
| KS3 | 7-9 | 11-14 | 5/6 |
| KS4 | 10/11 | 14-16 | GCSE |
The Foundation Stage
The Foundation Stage is designed specifically for children aged 3-5 years. There are six areas of learning covering children’s physical, intellectual, emotional and social development.A child’s development is assessed throughout the Foundation Stage. A record of development across all of these areas provides a picture of the whole child at the end of the Foundation Stage.
The P Scales
Why do we have the P scales?
The P scales were designed to provide a way of assessing children aged 5-16 who are working below level 1 of the National Curriculum.They will help teachers in planning future targets and will help them to review the progress of these children. They will also give parents and carers a clear idea of their child’s progress.
What are the P scales?
The P scales break down into small achievable steps the important skills, knowledge and understanding which a child needs before moving on to work at the National Curriculum levels.
There are P scales for:
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- Science
- PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education)
- ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
The P scales use eight levels, P1—P8. They can be used in Primary, Secondary and Special Schools for children who may or may not have a Statement of Special Educational Needs.
Who will use the P scales?
Class Teachers,Teaching Assistants, Support Service Teachers and SENCOs will use the P scales.
How will the P scales be used?
The P scales will be used as guidance and support when planning a programme of work for individual children and to identify progress and achievement.
What can you do if you want further information about this subject?
You can talk to someone in school:
- Class Teacher
- Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO)
- Form Tutor or Head of Year.
- SEN Governor
You can also talk to:
- The Additional Educational Needs Service Teacher or Educational Psychologist if one is already working with your child.
- Oldham Parent Partnership Service.