Education Act 2002

80 Basic curriculum for every maintained school in England E+W

(1) The curriculum for every maintained school in England 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 [F1 who have ceased to be young children for the purposes of Part 1 of the Childcare Act 2006] but are not over compulsory school age (known as “the National Curriculum for England”),

[F2 (c) provision for relationships education for all registered pupils at the school who are provided with primary education,

(d) provision for relationships and sex education for all registered pupils at the school who are provided with secondary education, and

(e) provision for health education for all registered pupils at the school.]

(2) Subsection (1)(a) does not apply—

(a) in relation to [F3 pupils who are under compulsory school age] , 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).

[F4 (2A) Subsection (1)(c) and (e) do not apply in relation to pupils who are under compulsory school age.]

(3) The Secretary of State may by order—

(a) amend subsection (1) so as to add further requirements (otherwise than in relation to religious education [F5 relationships education, relationships and sex education or health education]),

(b) amend subsection (1)(b) by substituting for the reference to compulsory school age (or to any age specified there by virtue of this 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 Words in s. 80(1)(b) substituted (1.9.2008) by Childcare Act 2006 (c. 21), s. 109(2), Sch. 1 para. 7(2); S.I. 2008/2261, art. 2 (with Sch. 1)

F2 S. 80(1)(c)-(e) substituted for s. 80(1)(c)(d) (1.9.2020) by The Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education (England) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/924), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 7(2)

F3 Words in s. 80(2)(a) substituted (1.9.2008) by Childcare Act 2006 (c. 21), s. 109(2), Sch. 1 para. 7(3); S.I. 2008/2261, art. 2 (with Sch. 1)

F4 S. 80(2A) inserted (1.9.2020) by The Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education (England) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/924), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 7(3)

F5 Words in s. 80(3)(a) substituted (1.9.2020) by The Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education (England) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/924), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 7(4)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 80 applied (in part) (1.2.2008) by The Education (Pupil Referral Units) (Application of Enactments) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2979), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 19 (as amended (1.9.2020) by The Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education (England) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/924), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 9)