By law, all children of compulsory school age (between 5 and 16) must receive a full-time education. The UK introduced a National Curriculum in 1992 and state schools are required to adhere to it until students reach age 16. However, independent or 'public' schools are not obliged to do so.

The National Curriculum defines four 'key stages:'

• Key stage 1: up to age seven (Years 1 and 2)
• Key stage 2: age seven to eleven (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6)
• Key stage 3: age eleven to fourteen (Years 7, 8 and 9)
• Key stage 4: age fourteen to sixteen (Years 10 and 11 - preparation for academic and equivalent vocational qualifications)

National Curriculum core subjects are: English, mathematics and science; Welsh is a core subject in Welsh-speaking schools. Foundation subjects are design and technology; information and communication technology; history; geography; modern foreign languages; music; art and design; physical education; religious education; and citizenship.

Northern Ireland follows a similar framework; however, schools can develop additional curriculum elements to express their particular ethos and meet pupils' individual needs and circumstances. The curriculum also includes the Irish language in Irish speaking schools.

After five years of secondary education, students take examinations in a range of subjects at the level of General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). The GCSE is a single-subject examination set and marked by independent examination boards. Students usually take up to ten (there is no upper or lower limit) GCSE examinations in different subjects, including mathematics and English language.

After taking GCSEs, students may leave secondary schooling; alternatively, they may choose to continue their education at vocational or technical colleges, or they may take a higher level of secondary school examinations known as AS-Levels after an additional year of study.  Following two years of study, students may take A-Level (short for Advanced Level) examinations, which are required for university entrance in the UK.

The national curriculum for 14-19 year olds, however, has been evolving since 2004. Find out more at the Department for Education and Skills’ 14 - 19 Gateway .

For additional information on the curriculum for K-12 schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, visit the following resources:

• National Curriculum Online
  
• Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)
  England’s national non-departmental public body for curriculum
  
• Qualifications, Curriculum & Assessment Authority for Wales/Awdurdod Cymwysterau Cwricwlmn ac Asesu Cymru (ACCAC)
  Wales's principal advisory body on all aspects of the school curriculum, examinations, assessment and vocational degrees.
  Also look to Wales’ Key Skills Support Programme to learn about approaches to curriculum support.
  
• Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment
  a non-departmental public body reporting to the Department of Education in Northern Ireland

Scotland's curriculum is slightly different than the approach for K-12 schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  We explain the distinctions in Scottish Curriculum for K-12 Schools.