A Parent’s Ultimate Guide to the Key Stage 2 (KS2) National Curriculum: English & Maths for Years 3–6
Supporting your child through primary school can feel overwhelming—but we’ve got you covered. This
comprehensive parent guide to the Key Stage 2 (KS2) National Curriculum explains what children in
Years 3, 4, 5, and 6 (ages 7–11) are taught in
Key Stage 2 English and
Key Stage 2 Maths, including essential topics like
adjectives, fractions, and grammar. You’ll also discover
practical tips and free worksheets to support learning at home and help your child succeed in
KS2 SATs.
What is Key Stage 2? A Parent’s Quick Guide
Key Stage 2 (KS2) is the part of the National Curriculum for children aged 7–11, covering
Years 3 to 6. It includes
English, Maths, Science, and other subjects, but many parents focus on
Key Stage 2 English and
Key Stage 2 Maths, which are formally assessed at the end of Year 6 through the
SATs.
Understanding Key Stage 2 helps parents support their child’s learning and ensures they are confident and prepared for secondary school.
Key Stage 2 English Curriculum: Year-by-Year Breakdown
Year 3 English: Building Vocabulary & Understanding Texts
- Learn adjectives to make writing more descriptive
- Develop reading fluency and comprehension
- Begin to use correct punctuation and sentence structure
Year 4 English: Expanding Grammar & Sentence Skills
- Introduced to fronted adverbials (e.g., “Suddenly, the door creaked open”)
- Add variety in writing with more complex sentences
- Strengthen reading comprehension skills
Year 5 English: Advanced Writing & SPaG
- Use subordinate clauses to add extra detail
- Focus on advanced punctuation: commas, semi-colons, and colons
- Develop critical reading skills using textual evidence
Year 6 English: Preparing for SATs & Confident Communication
- Master formal writing and presentation skills
- Refine grammar, punctuation, and spelling
- Analyse complex texts and summarise information
Key Stage 2 Maths Curriculum: Year-by-Year Breakdown
Year 3 Maths: Number & Fractions Foundations
- Numbers up to 1,000 and place value
- Introduced to simple fractions
- Begin addition and subtraction using formal written methods
Year 4 Maths: Fractions & Multiplication Milestones
- Learn fractions of amounts and add/subtract fractions with the same denominator
- Master multiplication tables (up to 12×12)
- Begin short multiplication and division methods
Year 5 Maths: Decimals, Percentages & Long Operations
- Work with decimals and percentages
- Practise long multiplication and short division
- Develop problem-solving and reasoning skills
Year 6 Maths: SATs Preparation & Advanced Topics
- Convert between fractions, decimals, and percentages fluently
- Work with area, volume, and complex shapes
- Master all four operations and mental arithmetic strategies
Ready to Help Your Child Succeed?
KwizEd provides a wide range of
Key Stage 2 learning resources that align perfectly with the National Curriculum for Years 3–6. From
KS2 English worksheets on adjectives and grammar to
KS2 Maths worksheets on fractions, decimals, and times tables, you’ll find tools to support every step of your child’s learning journey—many available for free!
Explore our
Key Stage 2 resources today and give your child the confidence to thrive in school.
Frequently Asked Questions About Key Stage 2 (KS2)
1. What is Key Stage 2 (KS2)?
Answer: Key Stage 2 (KS2) is the part of the National Curriculum for children aged 7–11, covering
Years 3 to 6. It includes
English, Maths, Science, and more, with a strong focus on
KS2 English and KS2 Maths, which are formally assessed through the
SATs at the end of Year 6.
2. What are KS2 SATs?
Answer: KS2 SATs are the
Standard Assessment Tests taken by children in
Year 6. They assess
reading, spelling, punctuation, grammar, and maths. Preparing your child with
Key Stage 2 worksheets and practice quizzes can help boost confidence and performance.
3. How can I help my child with KS2 English?
Answer: Support your child by practising
reading comprehension, grammar, spelling, and writing skills. Focus on topics relevant to their year group, such as
Year 3 adjectives,
Year 4 fronted adverbials, or
Year 5 subordinate clauses. KwizEd offers free
KS2 English worksheets and SPaG quizzes for every year group.
4. How can I help my child with KS2 Maths?
Answer: Encourage daily practice with
number work, fractions, decimals, percentages, and problem-solving. Tailor activities to their year:
- Year 3: simple fractions and addition/subtraction
- Year 4: fractions of amounts and times tables
- Year 5: decimals and percentages
- Year 6: converting fractions, decimals, and percentages
Use
KwizEd’s free Key Stage 2 Maths worksheets to support learning at home.
5. What are some essential topics in Year 3 English?
Answer: Year 3 children focus on building
vocabulary, understanding
adjectives, developing
reading fluency, and practising
punctuation and sentence structure. These foundational skills prepare them for more advanced work in Years 4–6.
6. What are some essential topics in Year 4–6 Maths?
Answer:
- Year 4: Fractions of amounts, short multiplication and division, times tables (up to 12×12)
- Year 5: Long multiplication/division, decimals, percentages
- Year 6: Advanced fractions, decimals, percentages, area and volume calculations
7. Where can I find free Key Stage 2 worksheets?
Answer: KwizEd offers a wide range of
free KS2 English and Maths worksheets
for
Years 3–6, including topics like
adjectives, fractions, times tables, and SPaG quizzes. These worksheets align with the
Key Stage 2 National Curriculum and help reinforce classroom learning.
