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Programmes of study and attainment targets
The Department of Education (the Department) has specified by Statutory Order in relation to each compulsory subject a programme of study and attainment targets. The programmes of study set out the essential matters, skills and processes which must be covered in schools, and the attainment targets describe the range of knowledge, skills and understanding which pupils are to master as they progress through school. Pupils’ progress in relation to the attainment targets from Key Stage 1 to 3 is measured against level descriptions from 1 (lowest) to 8 (highest).
Key Stage 1 - Primary 1-4 (school years 1-4)
Key Stage 2 - Primary 5-7 (school years 5-7)
Key Stage 3 - Form 1-3 (school years 8-10)
Key Stage 4 - Form 4-5 (school years 11-12)
The Northern Ireland Curriculum includes a number of educational (or "cross curricular") themes PDF 38.9 KB. Such themes are not subjects in their own right but topics whose scope is defined by a series of objectives specified by Statutory Order. The objectives are interwoven with, and taught through, the compulsory subjects of the Northern Ireland Curriculum and through religious education. The Cross-Curricular Themes are available on the Department’s website. Two of these themes are peculiar to Northern Ireland circumstances - Education for Mutual Understanding and Cultural Heritage - and each of them is a compulsory part of the curriculum.
The themes are:-
- Information Technology;
- Education for Mutual Understanding;
- Cultural Heritage;
- Health Education;
- Economic Awareness; and
- Careers Education.
**The last two apply in secondary schools only.
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