Education Act 2002

[F285F1 Curriculum requirements for fourth key stageE+W

This section has no associated Explanatory Notes

(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)information and communication technology,

(b)physical education, and

(c)citizenship.

(5)The elements for the fourth key stage referred to in subsection (1) are—

F3(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 [F4local authority], governing body or head teacher shall have regard to any guidance relating to F5... the entitlement areas which is issued from time to time by the [F6Secretary 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;

  • F7...]

Textual Amendments

F1S. 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

F6Words 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

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 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)))