15th December 2022

What are the differences between the Australian and the English curriculum?

Between the Australian and English curriculum, there are quite a few similarities. This makes it easy for international teachers from Australia to move to England and teach here making the daunting experience less scary.

Here we’ll cover the different types of schools, the Australian curriculum, the English curriculum as well as the qualifications received in both countries and the academic year timetable.

Types of schools

Australia has two main types of schools, government and non-government. Government schools are public, state-run schools whereas non-government schools are not run by local, state or federal governments, are self-funded and have their own enrolment process.

In England, the main types of schools include:

Maintained schools: this type of school is maintained by the local authorities. These include schools such as community schools with voluntary aided and controlled schools. They follow the national curriculum but can also choose to focus on certain subjects such as Religious Studies.

Academies: an academy is an independent school. Academies don’t have to follow the national curriculum and can choose to focus on subjects such as business and enterprise, technology, science or art.

Independent schools: these are privately run schools that run entirely independently of local authority or government control. They are free to set their own curriculum, school hours and term dates.
Special schools: these can be maintained state schools, academies or independent schools that provide an education for children with a special educational need or disability.

Australian National Curriculum

The Australian curriculum describes to teachers, parents and students what is to be taught and the quality of learning expected of young people. The implementation of the Australian curriculum is the responsibility of state and territory school and curriculum authorities, which decide how and when the Australian curriculum is implemented in their jurisdiction. In the Australian national curriculum, there are 8 nationally agreed learning areas plus one optional subject. These are English, mathematics, science, humanities and social studies, the arts, technologies, health and physical education, languages and work studies (optional in years 9 and 10). Further cross-curriculum priorities include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and cultures, Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia, and sustainability.

Primary and secondary school

In primary school, from foundation to year 7, the learning areas to be taught are English, maths, science, the arts, health and physical education, geography, history, languages and technologies. In secondary school, the learning areas are the same as in primary school in addition to economics and business, citizenship and work studies for years 9 and 10. After completion of year 10, students move on to senior secondary school which includes 15 senior secondary subjects across English, maths, science, history and geography. Students can choose any subjects that they are interested in and the difficulty of their curriculum. Also, they can add work-study as part of their education and can move to vocational training if they choose to do so.

English National Curriculum

The national curriculum is a set of subjects and standards used by primary and secondary schools so children are learning the same things. It covers what subjects are to be taught and the standards children should reach in each subject. Maintained schools in England are legally required to follow the statutory national curriculum. The national curriculum provides pupils with an introduction to the essential knowledge they’ll need to be educated citizens. All schools are also required to publish their school curriculum by subject and academic year online.

Primary school

All local-authority-maintained schools in England must teach these programmes of study. In key stages 1 (years 1 and 2) and 2 (years 3, 4 and 5), the core subjects English, maths and science are compulsory subjects to teach alongside art and design, citizenship, computing, design and technology, geography, history, music and physical education. Languages are also taught but it is not compulsory in key stage 1.

Secondary school

In key stage 3 (years 7 to 9), the compulsory national curriculum subjects that are taught are English, maths, science, geography, history, modern foreign languages (normally French, Spanish or German), computing, music, art, physical education, citizenship and design and technology. Schools must also provide sex education and religious education but parents can choose to withdraw their children. In key stage 4 (years 10 and 11), most students work towards national qualifications. There are the compulsory ‘core’ subjects that must be taught and ‘foundation’ subjects. Foundation subjects include computing, physical education and citizenship. Schools must also offer at least one subject from each of these areas; arts, design and technology, humanities and modern foreign languages.

Sixth Form/College

After completion of year 11, students have the option to stay in full-time education, start an apprenticeship or training or spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering while in part-time education or training. If students choose to stay in full-time education, they can go to either a sixth-form or college and move on to key stage 5 (years 12 and 13). Students can choose any 4 subjects in year 12 which is of interest to them and can drop one at the end of year 12.

Qualifications in Australia

The name of the qualification students receive in school varies from state to state. Every state is awarded a “Certificate of Education” with the exception of New South Wales which award a Higher School Certificate. At the end of year 12, students will receive a score known as the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) which allows them entry into universities.

Qualifications in England

In England, students take their GCSEs at the end of key stage 4 in year 11. Students will be tested in the compulsory core subjects English, maths and science as well as subjects in the fields of arts, humanities, languages, technology and vocational studies which the students personally choose. After completing their GCSEs, students who choose to continue in full-time education can go on to do A-levels which students can use to get into university.

The Academic Year

The academic years between the two countries are quite different. In Australia, the academic year starts in January and ends in early/mid-December. The start and end date can vary slightly depending on which state you live in and whether the school is public or private. In the Australian academic year, there are 4 terms with the longest holiday break being over December and January. In England, the academic year starts in September and ends in July. There are a total of 3 terms with 6 holiday breaks evenly spread throughout the academic year.

Engage Education has helped hundreds of Australian teachers find teaching jobs and relocate to England. If you’re interested in relocating and teaching in England, click here to register with us!