Part 6

The curriculum in England

The National Curriculum for England

Curriculum requirements for fourth key stage
85
1
For the fourth key stage, the National Curriculum for England shall comprise the core and other foundation subjects and the elements referred to in subsection (5).
2
The National Curriculum for England shall specify programmes of study in relation to each of the core and other foundation subjects for the fourth key stage.
3
The following are the core subjects for the fourth key stage—
a
mathematics,
b
English, and
c
science.
4
The following are the other foundation subjects for the fourth key stage—
a
computing,
b
physical education, and
c
citizenship.
5
The elements for the fourth key stage referred to in subsection (1) are—
a. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
b
in relation to any pupil who so elects, one subject from each of such one or more of the four entitlement areas specified below as the pupil may elect.
6
Those entitlement areas are—
a
arts, comprising—
i
art and design,
ii
music,
iii
dance,
iv
drama, and
v
media arts,
b
design and technology (comprising only that subject),
c
humanities, comprising—
i
geography, and
ii
history, and
d
modern foreign languages, comprising any modern foreign language specified in an order made by the Secretary of State or, if the order so specifies, any modern foreign language.
7
An order under subsection (6)(d) may—
a
specify circumstances in which a language is not to be treated as falling within subsection (6)(d), and
b
provide for the determination under the order of any question arising as to whether a particular language is a modern foreign language.
8
A pupil in the fourth key stage shall, if he so elects, be entitled to follow a course of study in a subject within each of the four entitlement areas specified in subsection (6); but this entitlement is satisfied where one subject within each of those entitlement areas is made available to him by or on behalf of the school at which he is a registered pupil.
9
In the exercise of their functions under this Part by virtue of this section, a
local authority
, governing body or head teacher shall have regard to any guidance relating to
... the entitlement areas which is issued from time to time by the
Secretary of State
.
10
In this section—
- “course of study” means a course of education or training which leads to a qualification approved under section 98 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 for the purposes of section 96 of that Act;
...
Pt. 6 modified (E.) (temp. from 1.10.2002) by The Education Act 2002 (Modification of Provisions) (England) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/2316), reg. 4
S. 85 substituted (E.) (15.11.2003) by Education (Amendment of the Curriculum Requirements for Fourth Key Stage) (England) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/2946), arts. 1(2), 2 (with art. 3)
S. 85 applied by 1989 c. 41, Sch. 2 para. 19(6) (as amended (30.12.2005) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 3 para. 72(b) (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(o) (as amended (15.10.2005) by S.I. 2005/2897, art. 14(3)))
S. 85 modified (temp.) (1.4.2007) by Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c. 40), ss. 74(4), 188(3) (with s. 74(5)); S.I. 2007/935, art. 5(k)
S. 85(9) modified (temp.) by 2009 c. 22 Sch. 12 para. 33 (as amended) (30.3.2010) by The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional and Transitory Provisions) and (Commencement No. 2 (Amendment)) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1151), art. 21
Words in Act substituted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1158), art. 1, Sch. 2 para. 11(2)
S. 85 amendment to earlier affecting provision 2006 c. 40 s. 74(1) (1.4.2012) by Education Act 2011 (c. 21), s. 82(3), Sch. 8 para. 20(a); S.I. 2012/924, art. 2
Words in s. 85(9) substituted (1.4.2012) by Education Act 2011 (c. 21), s. 82(3), Sch. 8 para. 12; S.I. 2012/924, art. 2
S. 85(5)(a) omitted (1.9.2012) by virtue of The Education (Amendment of the Curriculum Requirements for Fourth Key Stage) (England) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2056), arts. 1, 2(a)
Words in s. 85(9) omitted (1.9.2012) by virtue of The Education (Amendment of the Curriculum Requirements for Fourth Key Stage) (England) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2056), arts. 1, 2(b)
Words in s. 85(10) omitted (1.9.2012) by virtue of The Education (Amendment of the Curriculum Requirements for Fourth Key Stage) (England) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2056), arts. 1, 2(c)
S. 85(4)(a) substituted (1.9.2014) by The Education (Amendment of the Curriculum Requirements) (England) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2092), arts. 1, 3
Pt. 6: power to amend conferred (1.4.2018) by Children and Social Work Act 2017 (c. 16), ss. 34(6)(d), 70(2); S.I. 2018/346, reg. 4(e)
Pt. 6: power to amend conferred (1.4.2018) by Children and Social Work Act 2017 (c. 16), ss. 35(4)(d), 70(2); S.I. 2018/346, reg. 4(f)