What is statutory?
The national curriculum applies to pupils of compulsory school age in community and foundation schools, including community special schools foundation special schools, and voluntary controlled schools.
Key stage 3
The statutory subjects that all pupils must study at key stage 3 are art and design, citizenship, design and technology, English, geography, history, information and communication technology, mathematics, modern foreign languages, music, physical education and science. The teaching of career education, sex education and religious education is also statutory.
Key stage 4
The statutory subjects that all pupils must study at key stage 4 are citizenship, English, information and communication technology, mathematics, physical education and science. The teaching of careers education, sex education, work-related learning and religious education is also statutory.
What is not statutory?
The curriculum also includes non-statutory programmes of study for:
- Religious education, based on the Framework for Religious Education.
- Personal well-being, which includes the requirements for sex and relationship and drug education.
- Economic well-being and financial capability, which includes the requirements for career education.