The National Curriculum sets out which subjects children have to study at school. Key stages are divided into age groups called Key Stages. At each Key Stage, all children in state schools will study certain subjects, following the requirements of the National Curriculum.

The Key Stages are as follows:

Key Stage	Year groups	Ages
Foundation Stage	Preschool - end of Reception Year	3-5
Key Stage 1	Years 1-2	5-7
Key Stage 2	Years 3-6	7-11
Key Stage 3	Years 7-9	11-14
Key Stage 4	Years 10-11	14-16