The structure of the national curriculum, in terms of which subjects are compulsory at each key stage, is set out in the table below:

Figure 1 – Structure of the national curriculum

| Key stage 1 | Key stage 2 | Key stage 3 | Key stage 4
Age | 5 – 7 | 7 – 11 | 11 – 14 | 14 – 16
Year groups | 1 – 2 | 3 – 6 | 7 – 9 | 10 – 11
Core subjects |  |  |  |
English | Year 1 Year 2 | Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 | ✓ | ✓
Mathematics | Year 1 Year 2 | Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 | ✓ | ✓
Science | Year 1 Year 2 | Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 | ✓ | ✓
Foundation subjects |  |  |  |
Art and design | Key Stage 1 | Key Stage 2 | ✓ |
Citizenship |  |  | ✓ | ✓
Computing | Key Stage 1 | Key Stage 2 | ✓ | ✓
Design and technology | Key Stage 1 | Key Stage 2 | ✓ |
Languages |  | Key Stage 2 | ✓ |
Geography | Key Stage 1 | Key Stage 2 | ✓ |
History | Key Stage 1 | Key Stage 2 | ✓ |
Music | Key Stage 1 | Key Stage 2 | ✓ |
Physical education | Key Stage 1 | Key Stage 2 | ✓ | ✓

All schools are also required to teach religious education at all key stages. Secondary schools must provide sex and relationship education.

Figure 2 – Statutory teaching of religious education and sex and relationship education

| Key stage 1 | Key stage 2 | Key stage 3 | Key stage 4
Age | 5 – 7 | 7 – 11 | 11 – 14 | 14 – 16
Year groups | 1 – 2 | 3 – 6 | 7 – 9 | 10 – 11
Religious education | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓
Sex and relationship education |  |  | ✓ | ✓