The Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006

Minimum content

7.—(1) The curriculum for every grant-aided school shall, in relation to each area of learning applicable to pupils at the school—

(a) include such minimum content as is specified in relation to that area of learning and those pupils under paragraph (2);

(b) require each pupil at the school to be taught the minimum content within that area of learning; and

(c) require that the teaching in that area of learning is consistent with that minimum content.

(2) The Department may by order specify, in relation to an area of learning and pupils in a key stage, such minimum content as it considers appropriate.

(3) The minimum content specified in relation to an area of learning and pupils in a key stage must incorporate knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to each of the contributory elements which fall within that area of learning in relation to pupils in that key stage.

(4) It is the duty of the Department so to exercise the powers conferred by paragraph (2) as—

(a) to set in place as soon as is practicable minimum content in relation to all the areas of learning and each key stage, and

(b) to revise any existing minimum content whenever it considers it necessary or appropriate to do so.

(5) In relation to key stage 4, paragraphs (1) to (4) apply only in relation to the areas of learning called—

(a) Learning for life and work; and

(b) Physical education.