Part 1 - Basic Concepts and Key Documents
Section 1 – Introduction
12.This section describes the contents of Part 1 and specifies the curricula in relation to which the Part applies.
Sections 2 to 4 – Basic concepts
13.These sections set out basic concepts that have effect in relation to a curriculum for the pupils and children described in section 1.
14.Section 3 lists the areas of learning and experience and the mandatory elements within them. The mandatory elements are English; Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE); Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE); and Welsh. But subsection (3) provides that English is not to be treated as being a mandatory element of a curriculum for:
a class in which most pupils are aged under seven, or
funded non-maintained nursery education, or
pupils and children aged under seven for whom education is provided in a pupil referral unit or otherwise under section 19A of the Education Act 1996 (discussed further below).
Sections 6 to 8 - Codes
15.These sections require the Welsh Ministers to publish the following Codes:
the What Matters Code - setting out key concepts for each area of learning and experience;
the Progression Code – setting out how a curriculum must make provision for progression by pupils and children;
the RSE Code – setting out themes and matters that must be covered by the mandatory element of RSE.
16.A curriculum for the pupils and children described in section 1 must accord with the Codes.
17.The Welsh Ministers must keep the What Matters and Progression Codes under review and may revise those Codes.