Curriculum (Programmes of Study and Attainment Targets at Key Stages 1 and 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 1996

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order.)

This Order, made under Article 7(1) of the Education Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (“the 1989 Order”), specifies programmes of study and attainment targets for the compulsory contributory subjects of the Northern Ireland Curriculum at key stages 1 and 2.

Article 7(5) of the 1989 Order allows for an Order under Article 7(1), instead of containing the provisions to be made, to refer to provisions in a Document published by Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, and to direct that these provisions shall have effect according to the Order. Accordingly, the programmes of study and attainment targets for both key stages are contained in a single document, entitled “The Northern Ireland Curriculum Key Stages 1 and 2, Programmes of Study and Attainment Targets”, which replaces the programmes of study previously issued for key stages 1 and 2.

This Order comes into operation on 1st September 1996, except for the provisions relating to English, Mathematics, Science and Technology and Irish in Irish Speaking Schools in respect of pupils in the third year of key stage 2, which come into operation on 1st January 1997.

This Order also revokes the Curriculum (Programmes of Study and Attainment Targets in English) Order (Northern Ireland) 1990, the Curriculum (Programmes of Study and Attainment Targets in Mathematics) Order (Northern Ireland) 1992, the Curriculum (Programmes of Study and Attainment Targets in Science) Order (Northern Ireland) 1993 and the Curriculum (Programmes of Study and Attainment Targets in Irish in Irish Speaking Schools) Order (Northern Ireland) 1990 insofar as they relate to key stage 1 and the first and second years of key stage 2. These Orders are revoked from 1st September 1996, except as they relate to pupils in the third year of key stage 2, in respect of which they are revoked from 1st January 1997.

This Order also provides that any contents printed in italics in the Document, or not printed on a tinted background, are for illustrative purposes only, and do not form part of the provisions which have effect by virtue of this Order.

Copies of the Document are available from Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast, BT1 4GD.