Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021

(introduced by sections 24(3), 29(3)(b) and 30(6)(b))

SCHEDULE 1 RELIGION, VALUES AND ETHICS

PART 1 CURRICULUM DESIGN

Application

1 This Part applies for the purposes of section 24(3) (provision for teaching and learning encompassing the mandatory element of Religion, Values and Ethics).

Community schools and foundation and voluntary schools without a religious character

2 (1) This paragraph applies to—

(a) a community school;

(b) a foundation or voluntary school without a religious character.

(2) The provision must have been designed having regard to the agreed syllabus.

Foundation and voluntary controlled schools that have a religious character

3 (1) This paragraph applies to a foundation or voluntary controlled school that has a religious character.

(2) The provision must have been designed having regard to the agreed syllabus.

(3) Sub-paragraph (4) applies in those cases where that provision does not accord—

(a) with any provisions of the school’s trust deed that relate to teaching and learning in respect of the mandatory element of Religion, Values and Ethics, or

(b) if there are no such provisions, with the tenets of the religion or religious denomination specified in relation to the school in an order under section 68A of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (c. 31).

(4) In those cases, the curriculum must also make additional provision for teaching and learning encompassing the mandatory element of Religion, Values and Ethics that does accord with those provisions or (as the case may be) tenets.

Voluntary aided schools that have a religious character

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

(2) The provision must accord—

(a) with any provisions of the school’s trust deed that relate to teaching and learning in respect of the mandatory element of Religion, Values and Ethics, or

(b) if there are no such provisions, with the tenets of the religion or religious denomination specified in relation to the school in an order under section 68A of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (c. 31).

(3) Sub-paragraph (4) applies in those cases where the provision required under sub-paragraph (2) is not provision that accords with the agreed syllabus.

(4) In those cases, the curriculum must also make additional provision for teaching and learning encompassing the mandatory element of Religion, Values and Ethics that must have been designed having regard to the agreed syllabus.

PART 2 CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION

Application

5 This Part applies to the teaching and learning that must be secured under sections 29(3)⁠(b) and 30(6)(b) in respect of the mandatory element of Religion, Values and Ethics.

Community schools and foundation and voluntary schools without a religious character

6 (1) This paragraph applies to—

(a) a community school;

(b) a foundation or voluntary school without a religious character.

(2) The teaching and learning must be that for which provision is made in the curriculum under paragraph 2(2) (provision designed having regard to agreed syllabus).

Foundation and voluntary controlled schools that have a religious character

7 (1) This paragraph applies to a foundation or voluntary controlled school that has a religious character.

(2) The teaching and learning must be that for which provision is made in the curriculum under paragraph 3(2) (provision designed having regard to agreed syllabus), except in the case of a pupil to whom sub-paragraph (4) applies.

(3) In the case of a pupil to whom sub-paragraph (4) applies, the teaching and leaning must be that for which provision is made in the curriculum under paragraph 3(3) (provision that accords with trust deed etc).

(4) This sub-paragraph applies to a pupil if a parent of the pupil requests that the teaching and learning be that for which provision is made in the curriculum under paragraph 3(3) (provision that accords with trust deed etc).

Voluntary aided schools that have a religious character

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

(2) The teaching and learning must be that for which provision is made in the curriculum under paragraph 4(2) (provision that accords with trust deed etc), except in the case of a pupil to whom sub-paragraph (4) applies.

(3) In the case of a pupil to whom sub-paragraph (4) applies, the teaching and learning must be that for which provision is made in the curriculum in accordance with paragraph 4(3) (provision designed having regard to agreed syllabus).

(4) This sub-paragraph applies to a pupil if a parent of the pupil requests that the teaching and learning be that for which provision is made in the curriculum in accordance with paragraph 4(3) (provision designed having regard to agreed syllabus).

PART 3 INTERPRETATION

9 (1) For the meaning of “agreed syllabus”, see section 375A(7) of the Education Act 1996 (c. 56).

(2) For the purposes of this Schedule, a school has a religious character if it is designated by an order made (or treated as being made) under section 68A of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (c. 31) (and references to a school without a religious character are to be construed accordingly).