Choosing the right educational path for your child is a crucial decision.
In the UK, parents must grapple with the choice between grammar schools, private schools, state schools and academies… and one of the key questions is whether these schools follow the National Curriculum.
If your child attends a Grammar School (or any other type of secondary) – can you be sure of the teaching and content they’ll cover?
In this blog post, we’ll break down this complex topic and explore the National Curriculum in various types of schools. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the role of the National Curriculum and how it impacts the education your child receives.
Let’s unravel the curriculum conundrum together.
Do Grammar Schools follow the National Curriculum?
Yes, Grammar Schools in the UK follow the National Curriculum. Despite this, they also have the flexibility to supplement it with additional subjects and advanced coursework. They’ll teach core subjects like English, Maths and Science, alongside other topics to interest and challenge academically gifted students.
Before we delve into the specifics, let’s talk about what the National Curriculum is…
What is the National Curriculum?
The National Curriculum is essentially a set of standards and subjects used by schools across the country. It ensures no matter where you live and what school your children attend, they’ll learn the same stuff.
Some schools like academies and private schools don’t have to follow the National Curriculum. We’ll chat more about this below.
The National Curriculum uses Key Stages (KS) to organise learning. This refers to your child’s age, with KS3 and KS4 covering secondary education up to GCSE.
Grammar Schools, like all other state schools, use the National Curriculum to structure teaching and assessments.
At KS3 (11-14 years old), compulsory subjects include:
- English
- Maths
- Science
- History
- Geography
- Foreign Languages
- Design and Technology
- Art and Design
- Music
- Physical Education
- Citizenship
- Computing
Schools also have to provide relationships, sex and health education, as well as religious education – although parents can ask to remove children from some of these lessons.
When children get to KS4, most students (and especially those at Grammar Schools) work towards GCSE exams.
Even so, there are still compulsory “core” and “foundation” subjects. Like all other schools, Grammars include these subjects in their curriculum – but also go above and beyond.
Core subjects are English, Maths and Science. At GCSE, many Grammars offer both “double” and “triple” award Science. The triple award qualification pushes students both in terms of level and content. Further Mathematics is also sometimes available at GCSE, for students hoping to pursue A Levels and Degrees in related subjects.
Grammar Schools also provide lessons in computing, physical education, sex education, religious education and citizenship. As part of their National Curriculum GCSE offering, they must also provide at least one of the following subject areas:
- Arts
- Design and Technology
- Humanities
- Foreign Languages
As we’ve already seen, Grammar Schools usually go beyond the basic National Curriculum. So the chances are they’ll provide all of these subject areas (and more!).
Which schools in the UK don’t follow the National Curriculum?
Not all schools in the UK adhere to the National Curriculum. Here’s a bit more detail…
Private Schools
Private schools in the UK, also known as independent schools, aren’t obliged to follow the National Curriculum. They have the autonomy to develop their own curriculum and teaching methods.
They certainly can opt-in (if they choose), so why don’t private schools follow the National Curriculum?
There are a few reasons:
- Curriculum flexibility: private schools can create a curriculum tailored to their students’ needs and the school’s educational philosophy. This lets them offer more subjects, educational approaches and extracurricular activities that might not be available in state-funded schools.
- Emphasis on specialisation: many private schools focus on specialisation, which can include areas like the arts, sciences or sports. This results in a syllabus going beyond the National Curriculum, offering students a more niche or in-depth education.
- Freedom from standardised testing: Private schools aren’t bound by the same standardised testing requirements as state schools. They have the freedom to design assessments, which can be quite different from the national standard.
Academies
Academies are publicly funded but operate independently, which gives them a degree of freedom in designing their curriculum.
So, why don’t academies follow the National Curriculum?
Academies (which first appeared in the early 2000s) have gained increasing popularity for their independent approaches to learning. This freedom is the main reason they don’t always follow the National Curriculum.
These schools are known for:
- Curricular independence: Academies have freedom to deviate from the National Curriculum. This lets them tailor their curriculum to better meet the needs and preferences of their students and community.
- Innovative approaches: Academies can experiment with innovative teaching methods and subjects, resulting in a more diverse and dynamic educational experience compared to “standard” state schools.
- Greater autonomy: Academies receive public funding, but they have control over their budget and operations. This autonomy extends not only to their curriculum choices, but buildings, staffing and extracurricular budgets.
Free Schools
Free schools are another category of UK schools that don’t strictly adhere to the National Curriculum. They’re state-funded but operate independently, similar to academies.
They don’t always follow the National Curriculum for similar reasons.
Like Academies, Free Schools are often established to introduce new and innovative educational approaches. This can include specialised subjects, alternative teaching methods and unique curricular offerings that may not align with the National Curriculum. They often design their curriculum based on the needs of local communities, leading to variations from the National Curriculum.
Are Grammar Schools better than private schools?
Comparing Grammar Schools to Private Schools isn’t straightforward. The choice between the two depends on various factors, including your child’s academic abilities and interests, your personal finances and preferences.
Grammar Schools offer a high-quality education within the state sector and are known for their academic focus combined with a friendly, supportive environment.
Private Schools, on the other hand, offer more curricular flexibility and greater freedom to meet individual children’s needs. This diversity in educational approaches provides parents and students with a range of choices. It also means the educational experience differs significantly between schools though – so there’s no substitute for attending open days and tours, to get a feel for which schools suit your child best.
While Private Schools often have more resources, both Grammar and Private Schools attract the most skilled and innovative teachers in the country. They’re usually close in terms of GCSE and A Level results, so you’ll know your child’s getting the best academic start whichever school you choose.
Is it worth sending my child to Grammar School?
Sending your child to a Grammar School can be a great choice if you think they’ll thrive in an academically challenging environment.
However, Grammar School admission requires passing 11+ entrance exams (with components in Maths, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning), sat in the final year of primary school. To ensure success, long-term and careful preparation is essential.
We’ve already taken a look at key tips for 11+ preparation, as well as reading lists to improve your child’s vocabulary and making the most of mock tests. So do have a read if you’re considering Grammar School for your child.
At Achieve Learning, we have over 20 years of experience in helping students prepare for their 11+ exams. Book a free academic assessment to learn how we can support your child’s educational journey.
As well as mock tests and 1-1 academic tuition, we offer personalised guidance and resources to ensure your child is well prepared for the challenges of Grammar School and beyond.