Key Stage 1

The statutory subjects that all pupils must be taught at Key Stage 1 are: art and design, design and technology, English, geography, history, information and communication technology, mathematics, music, physical education and science. Religious education must also be provided.

Key Stage 2

The statutory subjects that all pupils must be taught at Key Stage 2 are: art and design, design and technology, English, geography, history, information and communication technology, mathematics, music, physical education and science. Religious education must also be provided.

Key Stage 3

The statutory subjects that all pupils must be taught 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 careers education, sex education and religious education is also statutory.

Key Stage 4

Key stage 4 National Curriculum requirements are set out in section 85 of the Education Act 2002, as substituted. Students study a mix of compulsory subjects (core & foundation) and, if they so elect, a course of study in a subject within each of four ‘entitlement’ areas. The compulsory subjects (with statutory programmes of study) are:

 

 

Core

Mathematics

English

Science *

 

Foundation

ICT

PE

Citizenship

* In relation to science, students have a statutory entitlement to have access to a course of study leading to at least two science GCSEs. Schools have to offer all students access to either science GCSE and additional science GCSE or all three of physics, chemistry and biology GCSEs. Schools may choose to offer other combinations of qualifications, but these must be in addition to, rather than instead of, these combinations.

In addition to the core and foundation subjects, students may opt to follow a course of study in a subject within one or more of the four ‘entitlement areas’ as they may choose. These subjects do not have statutory programmes of study. The entitlement areas and subjects within each of them are:

 

Entitlement area

Subject

Arts

Art & Design

Music

Dance

Drama

Media arts

Design & Technology

Design & Technology

Humanities

Geography

History

Modern foreign language (MFL)

Any modern foreign language specified in an order made by the Secretary of State – no such order has been made

The statutory requirements of the entitlement areas are:

  • Schools must provide access to a minimum of one course in each of the four entitlement areas.
  • Courses available under the entitlement areas must give students the opportunity to obtain a qualification approved by the Secretary of State for the purposes of section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000.

Schools must also provide religious education, sex education and careers education.