Search Legislation

Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021

Changes to legislation:

Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 19 April 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the affected provisions when you open the content using the Table of Contents below.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to :

  1. Introductory Text

  2. PART 1 BASIC CONCEPTS AND KEY DOCUMENTS

    1. 1.Introduction

    2. 2.The four purposes

    3. 3.The areas of learning and experience

    4. 4.The mandatory cross-curricular skills

    5. 5.Power to amend sections 3 and 4

    6. 6.The What Matters Code

    7. 7.The Progression Code

    8. 8.The RSE Code

  3. PART 2 CURRICULUM IN MAINTAINED SCHOOLS, MAINTAINED NURSERY SCHOOLS AND FUNDED NON-MAINTAINED NURSERY EDUCATION

    1. CHAPTER 1 CURRICULUM DESIGN AND ADOPTION

      1. General

        1. 9.Introduction and interpretation

      2. Maintained schools and maintained nursery schools

        1. 10.Curriculum design

        2. 11.Curriculum adoption

        3. 12.Curriculum review and revision

      3. Funded non-maintained nursery education

        1. 13.Welsh Ministers' duty to publish a curriculum

        2. 14.Review and revision of curriculum published by Welsh Ministers

        3. 15.Curriculum adoption

        4. 16.Curriculum review and revision

      4. Supplementary provision

        1. 17.Power to make supplementary provision about curriculum adoption and revision

        2. 18.Power to make supplementary provision about curriculum summaries

    2. CHAPTER 2 CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS

      1. General

        1. 19.Introduction

      2. Curriculum requirements

        1. 20.The four purposes

        2. 21.Progression

        3. 22.Suitability

        4. 23.Breadth and balance

        5. 24.Areas of learning and experience and cross-curricular skills

        6. 25.Power to impose further curriculum requirements

    3. CHAPTER 3 CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION

      1. General

        1. 26.Introduction and interpretation

      2. Maintained schools and maintained nursery schools

        1. 27.Duty to ensure implementation of adopted curriculum

        2. 28.General implementation requirements

        3. 29.Further implementation requirements for pupils aged 3 to 14

        4. 30.Further implementation requirements for pupils aged 14 to 16

        5. 31.Power to disapply duty to implement pupil choice

        6. 32.Power to disapply duty to implement pupil choice: supplementary

        7. 33.Reviews and appeals relating to pupil choice

      3. Funded non-maintained nursery education

        1. 34.Duty to ensure implementation of adopted curriculum

        2. 35.General implementation requirements

        3. 36.Requirements relating to areas of learning and experience and cross-curricular skills

    4. CHAPTER 4 CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION: EXCEPTIONS

      1. 37.Introduction

      2. 38.Development work and experiments

      3. 39.Development work and experiments: conditions

      4. 40.Development work and experiments: supplementary

      5. 41.Pupils and children with additional learning needs

      6. 42.Temporary exceptions for individual pupils and children

      7. 43.Temporary exceptions for individual pupils and children: supplementary

      8. 44.Provision of information about temporary exceptions

      9. 45.Appeals about temporary exceptions for individual pupils

      10. 46.Appeals about temporary exceptions for individual children

      11. 47.Exception for pupils for whom arrangements are made under section 19A of the Education Act 1996

      12. 48.Power to make provision for further exceptions

  4. PART 3 CURRICULUM FOR EXCEPTIONAL PROVISION OF EDUCATION IN PUPIL REFERRAL UNITS OR ELSEWHERE

    1. General

      1. 49.Introduction

    2. Pupil referral units

      1. 50.Curriculum requirements

      2. 51.Curriculum review and revision

      3. 52.Curriculum implementation

    3. Other education provided under section 19A of the Education Act 1996

      1. 53.Curriculum requirements

      2. 54.Review and revision

      3. 55.Curriculum implementation

  5. PART 4 ASSESSMENT AND PROGRESSION

    1. 56.Duty to make provision about assessment arrangements

    2. 57.Promoting and maintaining understanding of progression

  6. PART 5 CURRICULUM: POST COMPULSORY EDUCATION IN MAINTAINED SCHOOLS

    1. 58.Introduction and interpretation

    2. 59.General curriculum requirement

    3. 60.Curriculum requirement: Relationships and Sexuality Education

    4. 61.Curriculum requirement: Religion, Values and Ethics

    5. 62.Further curriculum requirements

  7. PART 6 SUPPLEMENTARY

    1. Mental health and emotional well-being

      1. 63.Duty to have regard to mental health and emotional well-being of children and young persons

    2. UN Conventions

      1. 64.Duty to promote knowledge and understanding of UN Conventions on the rights of children and persons with disabilities

    3. Co-operation and facilitation

      1. 65.Duty to co-operate

      2. 66.Welsh Ministers' duty to facilitate the performance of functions

      3. 67.Local authorities' duty to facilitate the performance of functions

    4. Welsh language

      1. 68.Welsh Ministers' duty to promote access etc to Welsh medium courses of study

    5. Specific provision for further settings etc

      1. 69.Power to make provision for children receiving education in more than one setting etc

      2. 70.Power to apply Act to detained children and detained young persons

    6. Guidance

      1. 71.Duty to have regard to guidance

  8. PART 7 GENERAL

    1. 72.Status of this Act as an Education Act

    2. 73.Minor and consequential amendments and repeals

    3. 74.Power to make additional provision to give full effect to this Act etc

    4. 75.Regulations

    5. 76.The What Matters Code and the Progression Code: procedure

    6. 77.The RSE Code: procedure

    7. 78.Written information, notices and directions

    8. 79.Meaning of “maintained school”, “maintained nursery school” and associated expressions

    9. 80.Meaning of “funded non-maintained nursery education” and associated expressions

    10. 81.Meaning of “pupil referral unit” and associated expressions

    11. 82.General interpretation

    12. 83.Index of expressions defined in this Act

    13. 84.Coming into force

    14. 85.Short title

    1. SCHEDULE 1

      RELIGION, VALUES AND ETHICS

      1. PART 1 CURRICULUM DESIGN

        1. Application

          1. 1.This Part applies for the purposes of section 24(3) (provision...

        2. Community schools and foundation and voluntary schools without a religious character

          1. 2.(1) This paragraph applies to— (a) a community school;

        3. Foundation and voluntary controlled schools that have a religious character

          1. 3.(1) This paragraph applies to a foundation or voluntary controlled...

        4. Voluntary aided schools that have a religious character

          1. 4.(1) This paragraph applies to a voluntary aided school that...

      2. PART 2 CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION

        1. Application

          1. 5.This Part applies to the teaching and learning that must...

        2. Community schools and foundation and voluntary schools without a religious character

          1. 6.(1) This paragraph applies to— (a) a community school;

        3. Foundation and voluntary controlled schools that have a religious character

          1. 7.(1) This paragraph applies to a foundation or voluntary controlled...

        4. Voluntary aided schools that have a religious character

          1. 8.(1) This paragraph applies to a voluntary aided school that...

      3. PART 3 INTERPRETATION

        1. 9.(1) For the meaning of “agreed syllabus”, see section 375A(7)...

    2. SCHEDULE 2

      MINOR AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS AND REPEALS

      1. Education Act 1996 (c. 56)

        1. 1.The Education Act 1996 is amended as follows.

        2. 2.In section 4 (schools: general), in subsection (2), after “section...

        3. 3.(1) Section 19 (exceptional provision of education in pupil referral...

        4. 4.After section 19 insert— Exceptional provision of education in pupil...

        5. 5.In Part 5, in the heading of Chapter 3, after...

        6. 6.(1) Section 375 (agreed syllabuses of religious education) is amended...

        7. 7.After section 375 insert— Agreed syllabus of Religion, Values and...

        8. 8.In the italic heading before section 390 (constitution of standing...

        9. 9.(1) Section 390 (constitution of advisory councils) is amended as...

        10. 10.(1) Section 391 (functions of advisory councils) is amended as...

        11. 11.(1) Section 392 (advisory councils: supplementary provisions) is amended as...

        12. 12.In section 394 (determination of cases in which requirement for...

        13. 13.In section 396 (power of Secretary of State to direct...

        14. 14.After section 396 insert— Power of Welsh Ministers to direct...

        15. 15.(1) Section 397 (religious education: access to meetings and documents)...

        16. 16.(1) Section 399 (determination of question whether religious education in...

        17. 17.In the italic heading before section 403, after “Sex education”...

        18. 18.(1) Section 403 (sex education: manner of provision) is amended...

        19. 19.In section 404 (sex education: statements of policy)—

        20. 20.In section 405 (exemption from sex education)—

        21. 21.In section 444ZA (application of section 444 to alternative educational...

        22. 22.In section 569 (regulations), in subsection (2B)—

        23. 23.In section 579 (general interpretation), in subsection (1), in the...

        24. 24.In section 580 (index), for the entry for “agreed syllabus”...

        25. 25.(1) Schedule 1 (pupil referral units) is amended as follows....

        26. 26.(1) Schedule 31 (agreed syllabuses of religious education) is amended...

      2. Education Act 1997 (c. 44)

        1. 27.The Education Act 1997 is amended as follows.

        2. 28.In section 56 (construction), in subsection (1), in the definition...

      3. School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (c. 31)

        1. 29.The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 is amended as...

        2. 30.In section 58 (appointment and dismissal of certain teachers at...

        3. 31.In section 60 (staff at foundation or voluntary school with...

        4. 32.In Part 2, in the heading of Chapter 6 (religious...

        5. 33.Before section 69 (and the italic heading before it) insert—...

        6. 34.In the italic heading before section 69, at the end...

        7. 35.(1) Section 69 (duty to secure due provision of religious...

        8. 36.(1) Section 71 (exceptions and special arrangements: provision for special...

        9. 37.(1) Section 124B (designation of independent schools as having a...

        10. 38.In section 138A (procedure for regulations)— (a) in the heading,...

        11. 39.(1) Section 142 (general interpretation) is amended as follows.

        12. 40.(1) Section 143 (index) is amended as follows.

        13. 41.In Schedule 3, in Part 2 (funding of voluntary aided...

        14. 42.(1) Schedule 19 (required provision for religious education) is amended...

        15. 43.In Schedule 20 (collective worship), in paragraph 5, in the...

      4. Education Act 2002 (c. 32)

        1. 44.The Education Act 2002 is amended as follows.

        2. 45.Omit Part 7 (the curriculum in Wales).

        3. 46.(1) Section 210 (orders and regulations) is amended as follows....

      5. Licensing Act 2003 (c. 17)

        1. 47.The Licensing Act 2003 is amended as follows.

        2. 48.In Schedule 1 (provision of regulated entertainment), in Part 3,...

      6. Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 (c. 38)

        1. 49.The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 is amended as follows.

        2. 50.In section 24 (interpretation), in the definition of “relevant school”,...

      7. Education Act 2005 (c. 18)

        1. 51.(1) Section 50 of the Education Act 2005 (inspection of...

      8. National Health Service Act 2006 (c. 41)

        1. 52.The National Health Service Act 2006 is amended as follows....

        2. 53.In Schedule 1 (further provision about the Secretary of State...

      9. National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 (c. 42)

        1. 54.The National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 is amended as...

        2. 55.In Schedule 1 (further provision about the Welsh Ministers and...

      10. Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2009 (nawm 1)

        1. 56.The Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2009 is amended as...

        2. 57.Omit Part 1 (local curriculum for pupils in Key Stage...

        3. 58.In section 46 (regulations in connection with the operation of...

        4. 59.In the Schedule (minor and consequential amendments)—

      11. Education (Wales) Measure 2009 (nawm 5)

        1. 60.The Education (Wales) Measure 2009 is amended as follows.

        2. 61.Omit section 21 (foundation phase).

      12. Equality Act 2010 (c. 15)

        1. 62.The Equality Act 2010 is amended as follows.

        2. 63.In Schedule 11 (schools: exceptions), in Part 2 (religious or...

        3. 64.In Schedule 17 (disabled pupils: enforcement), in paragraph 6A (as...

        4. 65.In Schedule 19 (public authorities), in Part 1, in the...

      13. Education (Wales) Measure 2011 (nawm 7)

        1. 66.The Education (Wales) Measure 2011 is amended as follows.

        2. 67.In section 9 (minor and consequential amendments), in subsection (3),...

      14. School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 1)

        1. 68.The School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 is amended...

        2. 69.In section 98 (general interpretation and index of defined expressions)—...

        3. 70.In Schedule 5 (minor and consequential amendments), in paragraph 21,...

      15. Further and Higher Education (Governance and Information) (Wales) Act 2014 (anaw 1)

        1. 71.The Further and Higher Education (Governance and Information) (Wales) 2014...

        2. 72.In section 6 (abolition of duties of further education institutions...

      16. Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 (anaw 2)

        1. 73.The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018...

        2. 74.In section 14 (duties to prepare and maintain plans: local...

        3. 75.In Schedule 1 (minor and consequential amendments and repeals), in...

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. The revised version is currently only available in English.

Original (As Enacted or Made) - English: The original English language version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Original (As Enacted or Made) - Welsh:The original Welsh language version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the Welsh Government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes accompany all Acts of Senedd Cymru.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources