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.

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.

Latest News

The Department of Education (DE) invites applications to become a member of CCEA’s Council

Published: 18/09/2023, 12:30pm

The Department of Education (DE) has launched a public appointments competition to appoint at least six members to CCEA’s Council. Applications are welcomed and encouraged from a wide range of people who have an interest in public service.

CCEA celebrates Outdoor Classroom Day with visits to local schools

Published: 19/05/2023, 10:45am

This week CCEA, as part of Outdoor Classroom Day, met with St James’s Primary School, Whitehouse Primary School, and Hazelwood Integrated Primary School to see how children are learning and exploring outside of the traditional classroom setting.

CCEA welcomes new Chief Executive Gerry Campbell

Published: 03/03/2023, 2:30pm

This week Gerry Campbell has joined CCEA as the organisation’s Chief Executive, after leading the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) for nearly six years.