PART 1

BASIC CONCEPTS AND KEY DOCUMENTS

Introduction
1
1
This Part sets out basic concepts that have effect in relation to a curriculum for any of the following—
a
registered pupils at maintained schools (except those over compulsory school age) and at maintained nursery schools;
b
children for whom funded non-maintained nursery education is provided;
c
children for whom education is provided under arrangements made by a local authority in Wales under section 19A of the Education Act 1996 (c. 56).
2
This Part also includes provision about key documents that support a curriculum of that kind.
3
In this Part references to a curriculum are to a curriculum of that kind; and references to pupils and children are to the pupils and children referred to in subsection (1).

The four purposes
2
1
The four purposes of a curriculum are—
- To enable pupils and children to develop as ambitious, capable learners, ready to learn throughout their lives;
- To enable pupils and children to develop as enterprising, creative contributors, ready to play a full part in life and work;
- To enable pupils and children to develop as ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the world;
- To enable pupils and children to develop as healthy, confident individuals, ready to live fulfilling lives as valued members of society.
2
References in this Act to the four purposes are to those purposes.

The areas of learning and experience
3
1
The areas of learning and experience for a curriculum are—
- Expressive Arts
- Health and Well-being
- Humanities
- Languages, Literacy and Communication
- Mathematics and Numeracy
- Science and Technology.
2
Within the areas of learning and experience, the following are mandatory elements—
- English
- Relationships and Sexuality Education
- Religion, Values and Ethics
- Welsh.
3
But English is not to be treated as a mandatory element, for the purposes of this Act, for a curriculum within subsection (4).
4
A curriculum is within this subsection if it is—
a
a curriculum for registered pupils at a school who have not completed the school year in which the majority of the pupils in their class attain the age of 7;
b
a curriculum for funded non-maintained nursery education;
c
a curriculum for education provided under section 19A of the Education Act 1996 (c. 56) (exceptional provision of education at pupil referral units or elsewhere: Wales) for pupils or children who have not attained the age of 7.
5
References in this Act to the areas of learning and experience are to the areas listed in subsection (1).
6
References in this Act to the mandatory elements are to be interpreted in accordance with this section.

The mandatory cross-curricular skills
4
1
The mandatory cross-curricular skills for a curriculum are—
- Digital Competence
- Literacy
- Numeracy.
2
References in this Act to the mandatory cross-curricular skills are to the skills listed in subsection (1).

Power to amend sections 3 and 4
5
Regulations may amend sections 3 and 4.

The What Matters Code
6
1
The Welsh Ministers must issue a code (the “What Matters Code”) that sets out key concepts for each area of learning and experience.
2
A curriculum does not encompass an area of learning and experience unless it encompasses those concepts as set out in the What Matters Code.
3
Teaching and learning does not encompass an area of learning and experience unless it encompasses those concepts as set out in the What Matters Code.
4
The Welsh Ministers—
a
must keep the What Matters Code under review, and
b
may revise it.
5
For further provision about the What Matters Code, see section 76.

The Progression Code
7
1
The Welsh Ministers must issue a code (the “Progression Code”) that sets out the way in which a curriculum is to make provision for progression by pupils and children.
2
A curriculum does not make provision for appropriate progression unless it accords with the Progression Code.
3
Teaching and learning does not make provision for appropriate progression unless it accords with the Progression Code.
4
The Welsh Ministers—
a
must keep the Progression Code under review, and
b
may revise it.
5
For further provision about the Progression Code, see section 76.

The RSE Code
8
1
The Welsh Ministers must issue a code (the “RSE Code”) setting out themes and matters to be encompassed by the mandatory element of Relationships and Sexuality Education.
2
A curriculum does not encompass the mandatory element of Relationships and Sexuality Education unless it accords with the provision in the RSE Code.
3
Teaching and learning does not encompass the mandatory element of Relationships and Sexuality Education unless it accords with the provision in the RSE Code.
4
For further provision about the RSE Code, see section 77.
S. 1 in force at 29.9.2021 by S.I. 2021/1069, art. 2
S. 2 in force at 29.9.2021 by S.I. 2021/1069, art. 2
S. 3 in force at 29.9.2021 by S.I. 2021/1069, art. 2
S. 4 in force at 29.9.2021 by S.I. 2021/1069, art. 2
S. 5 in force at 29.9.2021 by S.I. 2021/1069, art. 2
S. 6 in force at 29.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/1069, art. 3
S. 7 in force at 29.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/1069, art. 3
S. 8 in force at 23.11.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/1069, art. 4
S. 6 in force at 1.9.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/652, art. 4(a)
S. 7 in force at 1.9.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/652, art. 4(a)
S. 8 in force at 1.9.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/652, art. 4(a)