Education Act 1996

354 The core subjects and other foundation subjects

(1) The core subjects are—

(a) mathematics, English and science, and

(b) in relation to schools in Wales which are Welsh-speaking schools, Welsh.

(2) The other foundation subjects are—

(a) technology and physical education,

(b) in relation to the first, second and third key stages, history, geography, art and music,

(c) in relation to the third and fourth key stages, a modern foreign language specified in an order of the Secretary of State, and

(d) in relation to schools in Wales which are not Welsh-speaking schools, Welsh.

(3) In relation to schools in England—

(a) a modern foreign language is not a foundation subject in relation to the fourth key stage until the relevant date; and

(b) technology is a foundation subject in relation to pupils who entered the first year of the fourth key stage in 1993 but otherwise is not a foundation subject in relation to that key stage until the relevant date.

(4) In subsection (3) “the relevant date” means—

(a) 1st August 1996, in the case of pupils entering the first year of the fourth key stage in 1996; and

(b) 1st August 1997, in the case of all other pupils.

(5) In relation to schools in Wales—

(a) a modern foreign language is not a foundation subject in relation to the fourth key stage; and

(b) technology is a foundation subject in relation to pupils who entered the first year of the fourth key stage in 1993 but otherwise is not a foundation subject in relation to that key stage.

(6) The Secretary of State may by order amend subsections (1) to (5).

(7) In this section “school” includes part of a school.

(8) For the purposes of this section a school is Welsh-speaking if more than one half of the following subjects are taught (wholly or partly) in Welsh—

(a) religious education, and

(b) the subjects other than English and Welsh which are foundation subjects in relation to pupils at the school.