National curriculum for secondary schools
In drawing up their policy for the curriculum, Governing Bodies of Schools are required to ensure that it is a broad and balanced curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils, and prepares pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. The curriculum for every maintained school must meet the requirements of the National Curriculum and provide Religious Education and Governing Bodies should have a policy with regard to sex education Pupil Referral Units are not bound to provide the full National Curriculum.
The subjects of the National Curriculum are English, Mathematics, Science, Information and Communication Technology, Design and Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music, Physical Education, a Modern Foreign Language and Citizenship Religious Education is also part of the basic curriculum.
The details of what must be taught in the curriculum by means of programmes of study and attainment targets have been prescribed by law. In secondary schools, at Key Stage Three pupils are required to cover all National Curriculum subjects and Religious Education
At Key Stage Four pupils must cover English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, Physical Education and Citizenship. Schools are also required to provide all 14-16 year olds with courses that meet an agreed syllabus for Religious Education and the statutory requirements for careers education and sex education. Most schools include these in compulsory courses, often as part of a PSHE programme, sometimes leading to qualifications.
At Key Stage four, schools offer a range of options leading to GCSE or Vocational qualifications. Under the new National Curriculum, there is the opportunity for some students to follow more vocationally orientated courses or focus on other national curriculum subjects or on additional work in fewer subjects by opting not to study design and technology and/or a modern foreign language, if it is in their best interest. Schools must offer these subjects. There are short course GCSE qualifications.
There is a new non-statutory framework for Personal Social and Health Education at all key stages.
Schools are required to make available to parents information on the curriculum policy in use in the school.
Whilst the National Curriculum is flexible enough in many ways to respond to temporary changes or problems in the child's situation there may be exceptional circumstances for an individual child when the National Curriculum may need to be modified or disapplied for a limited time.
The Headteacher has the right to determine when such circumstances exist but the parents of a child have the right to request the Headteacher to make a temporary modification or disapplication. Parents who are considering such a request should contact the Headteacher who will explain their full legal rights in such situation including their right of appeal if they are dissatisfied with the response to their request.