After section 116 of the Education Act 2002 (c. 32) insert—
(1)Each local education authority in Wales must form for its area one or more local curricula for pupils in the fourth key stage.
(2)A local curriculum must consist of suitable courses of study each of which—
(a)falls within a category in subsection (3) (the “learning domains”); and
(b)is from time to time selected by a local education authority to form part of that local curriculum.
(3)The learning domains are—
(a)mathematics, science and technology;
(b)business, administration and law;
(c)services for people;
(d)arts, media, culture and languages;
(e)humanities, social sciences and preparation for life and work.
(4)Subject to any regulations made under subsection (5), a local education authority may form a local curriculum as it sees fit.
(5)Regulations may make provision as to the formation of a local curriculum, including in particular provision—
(a)requiring a minimum number of courses of study to be included within—
(i)a local curriculum; or
(ii)a particular learning domain of a local curriculum;
(b)specifying—
(i)a minimum proportion of vocational courses of study (as compared with other courses of study) that must be included within a local curriculum; or
(ii)a minimum number of vocational courses of study that must be included within a local curriculum;
(c)preventing during a specified period any alteration to the contents of a local curriculum.
(6)For the purposes of this section—
(a)a course of study is suitable if it is designated as suitable for inclusion in local curricula by direction given by the Welsh Ministers;
(b)a vocational course of study is a course of study designated as such by direction given by the Welsh Ministers;
(c)a course of study falls within a particular learning domain if a direction of the Welsh Ministers so provides.
(7)Regulations under subsection (5) may make different provision in relation to local curricula formed by different local education authorities.”