Primary education in Northern Ireland
Responsibility for education passed to the Northern Ireland
Executive in 1999, was taken back by central government in October
2002 on the suspension of the devolved government. Powers over
education were reinstated in May 2007 with the resumption of the
Executive.
The curriculum in Northern Ireland changed in 2007 and is well
outlined in its website www.nicurriculum.org.uk. Guidance is available
for the Foundation stage and for Key Stages 1 and 2. The subjects
taught (referred to as Areas of Knowledge') are:
- Language and Literacy,
- Mathematics and Numeracy,
- The World Around Us (including teaching of history, geography,
science and technology),
- The Arts (including art, design and music)
- Personal Development & Mutual Understanding
- PE
- RE
Phases of primary education in Northern Ireland
| Phase of education |
Type of institution |
Key stages |
Year/grade key |
Typical age |
| Transfer test (Eleven Plus) to determine
secondary school placement |
| Primary Education |
Primary Schools |
Key Stage 2 |
Primary 7 |
10-11 |
| Primary 6 |
9-10 |
| Primary 5 |
8-9 |
| Key Stage 1 |
Primary 4 |
7-8 |
| Primary 3 |
6-7 |
| Foundation Stage |
Primary 2 |
5-6 |
| Primary 1 |
4-5 |
| Pre-school |
. |
. |
Nursery |
3 |
Learn more about the following curriculum areas in Northern
Ireland:
Primary maths
Primary personal finance
education