or syllabus is a curriculum. Curricula are typically defined by Government and hence by law and/or regulation. Accordingly, each country has its own (though some countries choose to adopt curricula defined by other countries). In generating a scheme of work, it is vital to have detailed regard to the legally-required curriculum of the country in which the scheme of work is to be delivered. These are typically defined, in detail, by subject. Understanding the subtleties and nuances of their presentation is of vital importance when defining the most useful schemes of work. England For maintained schools and exam boards in England, the National Curriculum is set by Department for Education such that all children growing up in England have a broadly similar education. The curriculum for Primary education (ages 4/5 to 11) and Secondary education (ages 11 to 18) in England is divided into five Key Stages. Key stages 1 and 2 are delivered at Primary Schools. Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 are delivered at Secondary Schools. England - Mathematics English Primary Schools: Key Stages 1 & 2 [ages 5 to 11] The expectations for delivering the National Curriculum for mathematics in England at Key Stages 1 and 2 are tightly defined with clear time-linked objectives. The Department for Education has provided an initial annual scheme of work (or set of expectations) for each school/academic year from Year 1 (age 5/6) to and including Year 6 (age 10/11). This does not specify the order of teaching each topic within each year; but does provide guidance and does set out the expectations of what is to be taught and learned by the end of each year of students' primary education. English Secondary Schools: Key Stages 3 and 4 [ages 11 to 16] The National Curriculum for mathematics in England is also tightly defined at Key Stages 3 and 4. However, each individual English school's mathematics department is given greater freedom to decide when and how to deliver the content. By contrast to the national curriculum for England's primary schools, there are no annual expectations. Instead, guidance is set by reference to what is to be taught and learned by the end of Key Stage 3 [the end of year 9 (ages 13/14)] and by the end of Key Stage 4 [the end of year 11 (ages 15/16)]. It is notable that the curriculum for Key Stage 4 is intended by