Primary Education:
Foundation Curriculum covers Nursery and Reception classes (4 and 5yrs old)
Please note that not all primary schools have a nursery class so may start at Reception class.
Key Stage One – Year 1 and 2 (6 and 7yrs)
At the end of Key Stage One children sit tests, (KS1 SATs) in the 3 core subjects: English, Maths and Science
Key Stage Two – Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 (8, 9, 10 and 11yrs old)
At the end of Key Stage Two children sit tests, (KS2 SATs) in the 3 core subjects: English, Maths and Science
Secondary Education:
Key Stage Three – Year 7, 8 and 9 (12, 13 and 14yrs old)
At the end of Key Stage Three pupils sit tests, (KS3 SATs) in the 3 core subjects: English, Maths and Science
Then they choose their subjects to take for GCSE level – the core subjects are mandatory.
Key Stage Four – Year 10 and 11 (15 and 16yrs)
At the end of Key Stage Four pupils take their GCSE exams.
They can leave school at 16 yrs or go into Sixth Form to study for chosen subjects at ‘A’ level.
This website (click here) has all the UK National Curriculum programmes of study
It can be very difficult when there is no work planned but reality is that this situation can be the case especially in primary.
When this is so, it is essential to have a selection of work suitable for the age-group and the only way to do this is to build up a bank of materials in advance for all age groups. You will have to prepare set lesson plans, which are in line with UK national curriculum and take a selection to every booking.
This will be a huge help to you in terms of classroom management and keeping students engaged. As soon as pupils get a sense that you are underprepared they may not give you their full attention or respect as they would to their prepared class teacher. The day is immediately set to be more challenging than it needs to be.
Please put in the groundwork to ensure you don't have experiences similar to this. You have an opportunity to make such a positive start, which you can build on, so that your recommendations from supply will help land that long term post when you are looking for it.
Create your own lesson plans
There are dozens of sites to use to help build up a bank of useful materials which are appropriate for each age group, in all subjects.
Primary Supply Teachers - Covering the Basics | Teachers TV
Glen Segell is the author of the "Supply Teacher's Survival Guide" and has been teaching since 1984. He has been a supply teacher for the last six years and has taught in over 80 schools.In this programme, he gives his thoughts on the basics needed to be an effective supply teacher in a primary school. Glen demonstrates some of his advice in action as he takes a Year 3 class for numeracy and literacy. His first piece of advice is to "arrive early". Supply teachers need to give themselves ample time to get familiar with the resources in the classroom before the pupils come in. Another tip is to use the most eager students to help with classroom management. Glen also advises on the kit of key resources that a supply teacher should always bring to every job, and what not to forget at the end of the day.
On a general search for ideas for primary lessons on Google dozens of site come up, for example:
www.primaryresources.co.uk for free lesson plans, activity ideas and resources for primary teachers.
www.topmarks.co.uk/Interactive.aspx for Primary Interactive Whiteboard Resources - suggestions for sites which work well on interactive whiteboards in the classroom.
www.primaryideas.co.uk for resources that the Internet doesn’t currently provide or prove difficult to find. This site has again been updated with brand new resources which have been kindly submitted by visitors to the site.
www.teachingideas.co.uk for lesson ideas, activities and resources, and they're all FREE for you to use in your classrooms!
