Key Stage 1

Key Stage 1 is the legal term for the two years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales normally known as Year 1 and Year 2, when pupils are aged between 5 and 7. This Key Stage normally covers pupils during infant school, although in some cases this might form part of a first or primary school. It is also the label used for the third and fourth years of primary education in Northern Ireland.

Legal Definition
The term is defined in the Education Act 2002 as "the period beginning at the same time as the school year in which he attains the age of six and ending at the same time as the school year in which the majority of pupils in his class attain the age of seven"

Purpose
The term is used to define the group of pupils who must follow the relevant programmes of study from the National Curriculum. All pupils in this Key Stage must follow a programme of education in at least 10 statutory areas :
 * English language
 * Mathematics
 * Science
 * Information and Communication Technology
 * Design Technology
 * History
 * Geography
 * Art and Design
 * Music
 * Physical Education

In addition, Religious Education is statutory, although school are not required to follow the non-statutory framework set out in the National Curriculum.

At the end of this stage, pupils in England aged 7 - in Year 2 - are normally assessed as part of the national programme of assessment, colloquially known as SATs. These tasks, carried out by the teacher, cover English, Mathematics and Science.

Legal Definition
The term is defined in The Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 as "the period beginning at the same time as the next school year after the end of the foundation stage and ending at the same time as the school year in which the majority of pupils in his class complete two school years in that key stage". Notably, the foundation stage is defined as lasting for two years from the start of compulsory education.

Purpose
The term is used to define the group of pupils who must follow the relevant programmes of study from the National Curriculum. All pupils in this Key Stage must follow a programme of education in the six areas of learning in the curriculum. :
 * Language and Literacy
 * Mathematics and Numeracy
 * The Arts
 * The World Around Us
 * Personal Development and Mutual Understanding
 * Physical Education