Foundation Stage
Age 4–6
Primary school Years 1 and 2 make up the Foundation Stage. Children build on the learning experiences that they bring to school from home and/or pre-school. They learn through well-planned, challenging play that develops their interests, curiosity and creativity.

Curriculum at Foundation Stage
The Northern Ireland Curriculum aims to empower young people to achieve their potential and to make informed and responsible decisions throughout their lives. The learning opportunities provided should help young people to develop as individuals, contributors to society and contributors to the economy and environment.
The statutory curriculum in Foundation Stage is set out under the following Areas of Learning and Whole Curriculum Skills and Capabilities.
Language and Literacy
Language and Literacy is an Area of Learning in the curriculum. It focuses on developing children’s language and literacy skills. These enable children to interact effectively in the world around them
Personal Development and Mutual Understanding
Personal Development and Mutual Understanding (PDMU) is an Area of Learning in the primary curriculum. It focuses on encouraging children’s emotional and social development, confidence, independence
Mathematics and Numeracy
Mathematics and Numeracy is an Area of Learning in the curriculum. In the Foundation Stage, children acquire early mathematical concepts through play-based learning and planned activities that involve
Physical Development and Movement
Physical Development and Movement is an Area of Learning in the Foundation Stage. It gives children the opportunity to experience and develop a range of fundamental movement skills. These improve co
Religious Education
Religious Education is a compulsory part of the Northern Ireland Curriculum. It focuses on encouraging children to become informed and inquisitive about their own and others’ religious beliefs and
The World Around Us
The World Around Us is an Area of Learning in the primary curriculum. In the Foundation Stage, it plays a key role in encouraging children’s natural curiosity through play-based learning and planned
Communication
Cross-Curricular SkillsCommunication is one of the three Cross-Curricular Skills at the heart of the curriculum. Developing children’s communication skills enables them to express themselves socially, emotionally and
Using Mathematics
Cross-Curricular SkillsUsing Mathematics is one of the three Cross-Curricular Skills at the heart of the curriculum. It is the skill of applying mathematical concepts, processes and understanding appropriately in different
Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities
Skills and CapabilitiesAll parts of the curriculum emphasise the development of Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities. These skills help children to think critically and creatively. They also help them to develop
The Development Pathway
Pre-School
Age 3–4 / Before Year 1
Pre-school education offers children one year of non-compulsory education. Children learn at their own pace through a breadth of learning experiences and challenging play activities in a stimulating environment.
Foundation Stage
Age 4–6
Primary school Years 1 and 2 make up the Foundation Stage. Children build on the learning experiences that they bring to school from home and/or pre-school. They learn through well-planned, challenging play that develops their interests, curiosity and creativity.
Key Stages 1 & 2
Age 6–11
Key Stage 1 (primary school Years 3 and 4) builds on Foundation Stage experiences, and Key Stage 2 (primary school Years 5, 6 and 7) builds on Key Stage 1 experiences. As children progress through these stages, they move from informal to more formal learning.
Key Stage 3
Age 11–14
At Key Stage 3 (post-primary Years 8, 9 and 10), the curriculum builds on the learning experiences that pupils bring from primary school. Pupils now attend classes in different subjects, and teachers typically teach specific subjects to pupils across the different Years.
Key Stage 4
Age 14–16 / Qualifications
At Key Stage 4 (post-primary Years 11 and 12), pupils build on their learning from Key Stage 3. Pupils meet the statutory curriculum requirements through compulsory Areas of Learning and optional courses that lead to general and/or applied qualifications.
Post-16
Qualifications
At post-16, young people can choose from a number of qualifications that we offer at Level 3 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework, including GCE A levels.
Featured Learning Resources
Mixed-Age Play at Parkhall Primary
Parkhall Primary in Antrim has two classes in Foundation Stage: one Year 1 and one Year 2. The Foundation Stage Co-ordinator was appointed to the
FSHandling Data and the Northern Ireland Census
This resource uses free census data to develop learner skills in Mathematics and Numeracy (Handling Data and Processes in Mathematics) with links to
FSKS1&2Curriculum Monitoring Programme
In 2018/19, CCEA initiated a curriculum monitoring programme, designed to allow us to hear the views of teachers and other stakeholders about the
FSKS1&2KS3KS4P16SEN
Latest News
CCEA launches Wellbeing Hub for Primary, SEN and Post Primary Learning
CCEA has launched a Wellbeing Hub to support children’s and young people’s emotional health and wellbeing. The Hub is being developed in collaboration with the Departments of Education and Health, the Public Health Agency, the Health and Social Care Board, and the Education Authority (EA).
CCEA Marks Official End of School Year
CCEA marked the official end of the school year yesterday by recording its thanks to everyone involved in the alternative awarding arrangements for the Summer 2020 examination series.
Online Publication of CCEA’s Curriculum Monitoring Programme: Stage One
Today, CCEA has released the findings and feedback from the first stage of the curriculum monitoring programme. Originally intended for release earlier this year, the launch had to be postponed due to the global health emergency. Almost 1000 teachers provided their feedback and thank you to those who took part in a range of direct feedback, surveys and focus groups.
CCEA Launches Student Resource on Health and Wellbeing
At CCEA we recognise this is a difficult time for everyone. Especially for our young people their families and loved ones.
New look e-newsletters launched
September 2019 saw the re-launch of CCEA’s Primary and Post-Primary e-newsletters to accompany the existing Foundation-Stage and SEN e-newsletters.
Past CCEA Events
There are currently no events scheduled due to Corona Virus (COVID-19). Here are some that CCEA recently held: