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What children learn in each class

A plain-English guide to Maths, English and Irish in primary school in Ireland – so you know what your child is working on, from Junior Infants to 6th Class.

6th Class · Stage 4 (5th and 6th Class): more abstract thinking – percentages, algebra, critical reading – and getting ready for secondary school.

Maths

Primary Mathematics Curriculum (2023)

  • Fractions, decimals and percentages – and changing between them
  • Ratio and proportion
  • Algebra: equations, rules and patterns
  • Area of triangles and compound shapes; volume of cubes and cuboids
  • Circles: radius, diameter, circumference
  • Nets of 3D shapes
  • Pie charts, averages and probability
  • Multi-step problem solving
  • Standardised tests in Maths at the end of 6th Class

English

Primary Language Curriculum (2019)

  • Reading critically: bias, persuasion, fact and opinion
  • Reading for pleasure across many genres
  • Writing for different audiences and purposes
  • Presentations, debates and group discussions
  • More advanced punctuation (colons, brackets)
  • Editing for accuracy and style
  • Standardised tests in English reading at the end of 6th Class
  • Getting ready for secondary school

Gaeilge (Irish)

Primary Language Curriculum (2019)

  • Discussing topics and giving reasons
  • Reading and writing longer texts
  • The conditional: Ba mhaith liom…, Dá mbeinn…
  • Using a wide range of common verbs accurately
  • Preparing for Irish in secondary school

Easy ways to help at home

  • Talk about the news, adverts and what's true online
  • Involve them in budgets: shopping lists, comparing prices
  • Encourage reading for fun – any book they enjoy counts

Good to know

  • The official curriculum sets goals for two-year stages (Infants, 1st–2nd, 3rd–4th, 5th–6th). The points for each class are typical examples – every school plans its own order, so your child may meet some topics a little earlier or later.
  • Children learn at different speeds. If something here seems far ahead of where your child is, that's completely normal – their teacher is happy to help with any questions.
  • Standardised tests in English reading and Maths take place at the end of 2nd, 4th and 6th Class.
  • In Gaelscoileanna and Gaeltacht schools, children learn through Irish, so their Irish is usually well ahead of this guide.

Sources: Primary Mathematics Curriculum (2023) and Primary Language Curriculum (2019), NCCA – curriculumonline.ie. More parent resources: ncca.ie/en/primary/resources-for-parents.