Additional statutory areas
Religious Education
Schools must provide religious education (RE) for all registered pupils, although parents can choose to withdraw their children. Schools, other than voluntary aided schools and those with a religious character, must teach RE according to the locally agreed syllabus. Each agreed syllabus should reflect the fact that the religious traditions of Great Britain are in the main Christian, while taking account of the teachings and practices of other principal religions represented in Great Britain.
Sex Education
Secondary schools must provide sex education for their pupils. It must include teaching about AIDS, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and be given in such a way as to encourage pupils to have due regard to moral considerations and the value of family life. The detailed content and nature of sex education is for schools to decide. Parents can choose to withdraw their children from all or part of sex education.
Careers Education
All schools must provide a programme of careers education for pupils during Years 9, 10 and 11 and an appropriate range of careers information. They must also allow officers from the careers service access to pupils at key decision-making points during their education. Schools are encouraged to provide careers education for pupils before Year 9 and for those in the sixth form.
DfEE circulars 5/97 and 5/98 provide guidance for schools on meeting the statutory requirements. QCA guidance for schools and colleges complements the DfEE circulars: Learning outcomes from careers education and guidance (QCA/99/359).
Non-statutory area
Promoting personal, social and health education (PSHE)
For more information:
Qualifications & Curriculum Authority
