The Education Reform(Northern Ireland) Order 1989

Determination of curriculum policy and of curriculum

10.—(1) The scheme of management for every grant-aided school shall provide for it to be the duty of the Board of Governors—

(a) to determine, and keep under review, its policy in relation to the curriculum for the school; and

(b) to make, and keep up to date, a written statement of that policy.

(2) The policy determined by a Board of Governors under paragraph (1)(a) in relation to the curriculum for a school shall be compatible with—

(a) any programme of study specified under Article 7(1)(a) which forms part of that curriculum;

(b) any syllabus for a course which forms part of that curriculum and leads to an examination for a qualification approved under Article 9(1); and

(c) the statutory provisions relating to education (including, in particular, those relating to children with special educational needs).

(3) In discharging its duty under paragraph (1), a Board of Governors shall consider, in particular—

(a) the range of the curriculum; and

(b) the balance between, and coherence of, its different components.

(4) The scheme of management for every grant-aided school shall provide for it to be the duty of the Board of Governors—

(a) when determining or reviewing its policy in relation to the curriculum for the school—

(i) to take account of the findings of any inspection of the school under Article 102 of the principal Order;

(ii) to consider any representations made to it regarding the curriculum by the relevant board, the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (where the school is a Catholic maintained school) and any other body or person connected with the community served by the school;

(b) to consult the principal of the school before making or varying any statement under paragraph (1)(b).

(5) The scheme of management for every grant-aided school shall provide for the principal to be allocated such functions as will, subject to the resources available, enable him to determine and organise the curriculum and secure that it is followed within the school.

(6) In discharging his duties in relation to the curriculum for a school the principal shall ensure that the curriculum is compatible with the policy of the Board of Governors as expressed in its statement under paragraph (1)(b).

(7) In carrying out its functions under the Education Orders or any other statutory provision in relation to a school under its management, a Board of Governors shall have regard to its policy in relation to the curriculum for the school, as expressed in its statement under paragraph (1)(b).

(8) The Board of Governors of a grant-aided school shall furnish the relevant board and, if the school is a Catholic maintained school, the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools with a copy of every statement made by it under paragraph (1)(b).

(9) In paragraph (8) “relevant board” in relation to a school means—

(a) in the case of a controlled school, the board responsible for the management of the school;

(b) in the case of a maintained school, the board by which the school is maintained;

(c) in the case of any other grant-aided school, the board for the area in which the school is situated.