10.—(1) This Article applies to any order under—
(a)Article 7(2) (power to specify minimum content);
(b)Article 8(1)(b) (power to specify other skills);
(c)Article 8(3) (power to specify levels of progression); or
(d)Article 9(2) (power to specify assessment arrangements).
(2) The order may, instead of containing the provision to be made, refer to provisions in an approved document and direct that those provisions are to have effect or, as the case may be, are to have effect as amended by the order.
(3) The order may not require—
(a)that any particular period or periods of time should be allocated during any key stage to the teaching of any matter; or
(b)that provision of any particular kind should be made in school timetables for the periods to be allocated to such teaching during any such stage.
(4) The Department may refer its proposal to make the order to NICCEA.
(5) Where a proposal is referred to NICCEA under paragraph (4), NICCEA shall, before such date as the Department may direct—
(a)consult, with regard to the proposal, with such bodies or persons as appear to NICCEA to be concerned; and
(b)make a report to the Department containing—
(i)a summary of the views expressed during the consultations;
(ii)NICCEA’s recommendations as to the proposal; and
(iii)such other advice relating to the proposal as NICCEA thinks fit.
(6) In paragraph (2) “approved document” means a document which has been—
(a)prepared by NICCEA;
(b)approved by the Department; and
(c)published by NICCEA.
(7) NICCEA shall send to the Board of Governors of every grant-aided school which appears to NICCEA to be affected a copy of every document published by it under paragraph (6)(c).