Education Act 2002

101 Basic curriculum for every maintained school in Wales E+W

(1) The curriculum for every maintained school in Wales shall comprise a basic curriculum which includes—

(a) provision for religious education for all registered pupils at the school (in accordance with such of the provisions of Schedule 19 to the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (c. 31) as apply in relation to the school),

(b) a curriculum for all registered pupils at the school who have attained the age of three but are not over compulsory school age (known as “the National Curriculum for Wales”),

[F1 (ba) provision for personal and social education for all registered pupils at the school who are of compulsory school age,]

[F2 (bb) provision for work-related education for all registered pupils at the school [F3 during the third and fourth key stages],]

(c) in the case of a secondary school, provision for sex education for all registered pupils at the school, F4 ...

[F5 (ca) in the case of a secondary school, provision for education which satisfies the entitlements of registered pupils at the school under section 116E, and]

(d) in the case of a special school, provision for sex education for all registered pupils at the school who are provided with secondary education.

(2) Subsection (1)(a) does not apply—

(a) in relation to a nursery class in a primary school, or

(b) in the case of a maintained special school (provision as to religious education in special schools being made by regulations under section 71(7) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (c. 31)).

(3) The [F6 Welsh Ministers] may by order—

(a) amend subsection (1) so as to add further requirements (otherwise than in relation to religious education or sex education),

(b) amend subsection (1)(b)—

(i) by substituting for the reference to the age of three (or to any age specified there by virtue of this sub-paragraph) a reference to such other age as may be specified in the order, or

(ii) by substituting for the reference to compulsory school age (or to any age specified there by virtue of this sub-paragraph) a reference to such other age as may be specified in the order, and

(c) amend any provision included in subsection (1) by virtue of paragraph (a) of this subsection.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 101(1)(ba) inserted (1.9.2003) by Basic Curriculum for Wales (Amendment) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/932), arts. 1(2), 2(2)

F2 S. 101(1)(bb) inserted (1.9.2004) by The Basic Curriculum for Wales (Amendment) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/932), arts. 1(3), 2(3)

F3 Words in s. 101(1)(bb) substituted (1.8.2008) by The School Curriculum in Wales (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1899), arts. 1, 2

F4 Word in s. 101(1)(c) omitted (1.1.2010) by virtue of Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2009 (nawm 1), ss. 3(2), 49(2); S.I. 2009/3174, art. 2(2)(b)

F5 S. 101(1)(ca) inserted (1.1.2010) by Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2009 (nawm 1), ss. 3(3), 49(2); S.I. 2009/3174, art. 2(2)(b)

F6 Words in s. 101(3) substituted (7.12.2009) by Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2009 (nawm 1), s. 49(2), Sch. paras. 12, 13; S.I. 2009/3174, art. 2(1)(r)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 101 modified (temp. from 19.12.2002) by The Education Act 2002 (Transitional Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/3184), reg. 5(1)(4)

C2 S. 101(1): power to disapply conferred (temp.) (25.3.2020) by Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 17 para. 7 (with ss. 88-90) (which affecting provision expires (25.9.2022) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 89 (with s. 90))

C3 S. 101(1)(d) applied (23.4.2007) by The Education (Pupil Referral Units) (Application of Enactments) (Wales) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1069), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 10

Commencement Information

I1 S. 101 partly in force; s. 101 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 216; s. 101 (except for s. 101(3)(b)) in force at 19.12.2002 by S.I. 2002/3185, art. 4, Sch. Pt. I

I2 S. 101(3)(b) in force at 1.8.2008 by S.I. 2008/1728, art. 3, Sch. Pt. 1