Key Stage 3, Years 7 to 9
Key Stage 3 covers Years 7, 8 and 9, ages 11 to 14. It builds the skills that GCSE courses depend on, so confidence here pays off later. Schools plan Key Stage 3 differently, so use this as a guide rather than a timetable.
The three subjects
- Maths
- The national curriculum groups maths into number, algebra, ratio, proportion and rates of change, geometry and measures, probability and statistics. Students move from fluent arithmetic to algebra, proportional reasoning and geometry.
- English
- English covers reading, writing, grammar and vocabulary, and spoken English. Students read a wider range of texts, and are expected to write accurately for different purposes and audiences.
- Science
- Science covers biology, chemistry and physics, and learning to work scientifically: planning, measuring, and explaining results. Many calculations appear for the first time, such as density and speed.
Year by year
- Year 7 (ages 11 to 12): Year 7 is the move to secondary school. Students meet new teachers and subjects, and most schools spend the first term finding out what each child already knows.
- Year 8 (ages 12 to 13): Year 8 builds on the first year. Algebra becomes more important, science introduces more calculations, and in many schools the first decisions about GCSE options begin.
- Year 9 (ages 13 to 14): Year 9 is the last year of Key Stage 3. Many schools finish Key Stage 3 content early and some begin GCSE content, so the pace picks up.
Starting GCSE courses? See the guides for maths, English and science, and every practice topic.