Education Act 1996 (c. 56)

Part V E+W The Curriculum

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. V (ss. 350-410) modified (1.9.1999) by S.I. 1999/2262, reg. 57

Chapter I E+W Preliminary

350 Meaning of “maintained school” etc. in Part V. E+W

[F1 (1) In this Part “maintained school” means—

(a) any community, foundation or voluntary school; or

(b) except where otherwise stated, any community or foundation special school not established in a hospital.]

(2) In this Part “assess” includes examine and test, and related expressions shall be construed accordingly.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 350(1)(a)(b) substituted (1.9.1999) for s. 350(1)(a)-(c) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1), Sch. 30 para. 85 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

351 General duties in respect of the curriculum. E+W

(1) The curriculum for a school satisfies the requirements of this section if it is a balanced and broadly based curriculum which—

(a) promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society, and

(b) prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

(2) The Secretary of State shall exercise his functions with a view to securing that the curriculum for every maintained school satisfies the requirements of this section.

(3) Every local education authority shall exercise their functions with a view to securing that the curriculum for every maintained school which they maintain satisfies the requirements of this section.

(4) The governing body and head teacher of every maintained school shall exercise their functions with a view to securing that the curriculum for the school satisfies the requirements of this section.

(5) The functions referred to in subsections (2) to (4) include in particular functions conferred by this Part in relation to religious education, religious worship and the National Curriculum.

[F2 (6) In exercising any function which may affect the provision of sex education in maintained schools, every local education authority must have regard to the guidance issued by the Secretary of State under section 403(1A).

(7) Except to the extent provided in subsection (6), nothing in this section shall be taken to impose duties on a local education authority with regard to sex education.]

Textual Amendments

F2 S. 351(6)(7) inserted (1.11.2000 (E.) 1.9.2001 (W.)) by 2000 c. 21, s. 148(2) (with s. 150); S.I. 2000/2559, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. II; S.I. 2001/1274, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. II

352 Basic curriculum for every maintained school. E+W

(1) The curriculum for every maintained school shall comprise a basic curriculum which includes—

(a) provision for religious education for all registered pupils at the school (in accordance with such of the provisions of [F3 Schedule 19 to the School Standards and Framework Act 1998] as apply in relation to the school),

(b) a curriculum for all registered pupils at the school of compulsory school age (known as “the National Curriculum”) which meets the requirements of section 353,

(c) in the case of a secondary school, provision for sex education for all registered pupils at the school, and

(d) in the case of a special school, provision for sex education for all registered pupils at the school who are provided with secondary education.

(2) Subsection (1)(a) does not apply in the case of a maintained special school (provision as to religious education in special schools being made by regulations under section 342(6)).

(3) In this Act “sex education” includes education about—

(a) Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and Human Immunodeficiency Virus, and

(b) any other sexually transmitted disease.

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in s. 352(1)(a) substituted (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1), Sch. 30 para.86 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch.1

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 352(1)(a) explained (1.10.1998) by 1998 c. 31, s. 69(2) (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1998/2212, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I

C3 S. 352(1)(a) modified (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 69, Sch. 19 paras. 2(2)(4), 3(2)(4), 4(2) (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

S. 352(1)(a) modified (1.10.1998 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 69, Sch. 19 paras. 2(4), 3(4) (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); 1.10.1998 by S.I. 1998/2212, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I and 1.9.1999 by S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1