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.

Entry Level

CCEA’s Entry Level qualifications offer a total of over 150 units at Entry 1 to Entry 3. Familiar subject areas such as Mathematics, History and Science are available, as well as vocationally related and skills for life options.

Entry Level Subjects

Vocational

CCEA offers vocational qualifications at Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 of the Regulated Qualifications Framework. These qualifications are practical in nature and relate to a specific job or career area.

Vocational Subjects

GCSE

CCEA GCSE qualifications are at Level 1/2 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework.

GCSE Subjects GCSE Timetables GCSE Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Curriculum at Key Stage 4

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 at Key Stage 4 is set out under the following Areas of Learning and Whole Curriculum Skills and Capabilities.

  • Language and Literacy

    Language and Literacy

    Language and Literacy is an Area of Learning in the curriculum. It is not compulsory for pupils at Key Stage 4, but schools must offer access to at least one course that leads to a qualification in

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  • Modern Languages

    Modern Languages

    Modern Languages is an Area of Learning in the post-primary curriculum. It is not compulsory for pupils at Key Stage 4, but schools must offer access to at least one course in an official language of

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  • Mathematics and Numeracy

    Mathematics and Numeracy

    Mathematics and Numeracy is an Area of Learning in the curriculum. It is not compulsory for pupils at Key Stage 4, but schools must offer access to at least one course that leads to a qualification in

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  • Learning for Life and Work

    Learning for Life and Work

    Learning for Life and Work is a compulsory Area of Learning at Key Stage 4. Schools must offer access to at least one course that leads to a qualification in this Area of Learning.

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  • Environment and Society

    Environment and Society

    Environment and Society is an Area of Learning in the post-primary curriculum. It is not compulsory for pupils at Key Stage 4, but schools must offer access to at least one course that leads to a

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  • Physical Education

    Physical Education

    Physical Education is a compulsory Area of Learning at Key Stage 4. Schools must offer access to at least one course that leads to a qualification in this Area of Learning.

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  • Religious Education

    Religious Education

    Religious Education is a compulsory part of the Northern Ireland Curriculum. Schools must offer access to at least one course that leads to a qualification in Religious Education.

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  • Science and Technology

    Science and Technology

    Science and Technology is an Area of Learning in the post-primary curriculum. It is not compulsory for pupils at Key Stage 4, but schools must offer access to at least one course that leads to a

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  • The Arts

    The Arts

    The Arts is an Area of Learning in the curriculum. It is not compulsory for pupils at Key Stage 4, but schools must offer access to at least one course that leads to a qualification in this Area of

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  • Communication

    Communication

    Cross-Curricular Skills

    Communication is one of the three Cross-Curricular Skills at the heart of the curriculum. Developing pupils’ communication skills enables them to express themselves socially, emotionally and

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  • Using Mathematics

    Using Mathematics

    Cross-Curricular Skills

    Using 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

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  • Using ICT

    Using ICT

    Cross-Curricular Skills

    Using ICT is one of the three Cross-Curricular Skills at the heart of the curriculum. Developing pupils’ digital skills encourages them to handle and communicate information, solve problems, pose

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  • Other Skills

    Other Skills

    Skills and Capabilities

    The Other Skills at Key Stage 4 are Problem-Solving, Self-Management and Working with Others. These skills incorporate Being Creative and Managing Information. However, they are grouped differently to

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Featured Learning Resources

  • True Folours Virtual Tour 2024

    True Colours

    Every year CCEA’s True Colours exhibition celebrates artwork produced within schools and colleges across NI.

    Explore this resource
    KS4
    P16
    The Arts: Art and Design
  • Paper Builder Resource Banner

    Paper Builder

    Paper Builder is a new and free tool designed for teachers to create practice question papers from past papers.

    Explore this resource
    KS4
  • Making Northern Ireland External Resource

    Making Northern Ireland

    An external resource from Nerve Centre and NI Screen exploring Ulster-Scots history and culture, aimed for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 learners.

    Explore this resource
    KS3
    KS4
    P16
    History
    Language and Literacy
    The World Around Us
Access all Learning Resources

Latest News

CCEA’s Vocational and Occupational Studies Results Day 2024

Published: 22/08/2024, 11:00am

This week over 10,000 students from schools and colleges across Northern Ireland received their CCEA Vocational and Occupational Studies results.

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CCEA CEO praises Northern Ireland’s GCSE students and teachers

Published: 22/08/2024, 9:30am

Commenting on today’s results CCEA Chief Executive, Gerry Campbell, said:

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Summer 2024 Examination Series - Issue of Results for GCSE and Vocational Qualifications

Published: 20/08/2024, 3:00pm

Electronic results files for GCSE and Vocational Qualifications will be available for centres to download from the A2C Migration Application on Wednesday 21 August 2024 . The results are for release to candidates on Thursday 22 August 2024 .

Read more
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Past CCEA Events

There are currently no events scheduled. Here are some that CCEA recently held:

  • 26 Mar

    CCEA GCSE Mathematics Support Event

    Corr's Corner Hotel315 Ballyclare RoadNewtownabbeyBT36 4TQ

  • 27 Mar

    Primary - Key Stage 3: 'Whet your Appetite with a Webinar' - Group Work – What is it and how to do it better (CCEA - Curriculum)

    Online Webinar

  • 02 Apr

    CCEA GCE Mathematics/Further Mathematics Support Event

    Corr's Corner Hotel315 Ballyclare RoadNewtownabbeyBT36 4TQ

  • 02 Apr

    CCEA A2 EEP Webinar A2 Geography

    WEBINAR

  • 04 Apr

    CCEA GCE Mathematics/Further Mathematics Support Event

    Glenavon Hotel52 Drum RoadCookstownBT80 8JQ
View events page