National curriculum levels

The national curriculum

The national curriculum sets out the subjects to be taught, and the standards to be reached, in primary and secondary schools, ensuring that all children learn the same things at the same ages, whatever school they attend. These required standards are called national curriculum levels.

National curriculum levels go from level 1 to level 8 and are used to record pupil achievement from key stage 1 (KS1) through to key stage 3 (KS3). Level 8 is only achieved by the most able pupils.

What is expected of the average child?

• Children in year 1 (age 5-6) are expected to be around the mid-point of level 1.
• Children in year 2 are expected to be around the mid-point of level 2.
• By the time they reach year 6 (age 10-11) children should be around the mid-point of level 4.
• By year 9 (age 13-14) children should be at level 5-6.

Each level is sub-divided into A, B and C

• Level C means a child has only just started working at that level.
• Level B means the child is well within the level.
• Level A means the child has reached the top of the level and is working towards the next.

So a year 2 child working at level 2C is only just within level 2, a child working at level 2B is comfortably within level 2 and a child working at level 2A is working towards level 3 as shown in this table.