Summary Guidance on disapplying the National Curriculum

Function - Guidance

Subject Category

Curriculum and Standards

Audience  - Headteachers and Governors.

All maintained schools

Status:

Guidance on the law

Action To apply changes from August  2000

Date of issue: May 2000

Ref:  DfEE 0071/2000

Related documents

Disapplication of the National Curriculum DfEE 00084/2000 -  new DfEE/QCA publication

The Education (National Curriculum)(Exceptions at key stage 4)(England) Regulations 2000

Circular 10/1999 Social Inclusion: Pupil Support

Flexibility in the Secondary Curriculum - QCA

Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Needs

Superseded document

The full guidance supersedes DfEE circular 15/89  Education Reform Act 1988: Temporary Exceptions from the National Curriculum

Overview

Although the National Curriculum allows schools considerable flexibility to develop their curriculum to meet  the needs of the majority of pupils, it may not maximise the learning and achievement of some individual pupils.  Heads may exceptionally,  consider disapplying some parts of the curriculum.  This summary note outlines changes affecting disapplication at Key Stage 4 and temporary disapplication from August 2000.

Action: Heads considering disapplying National Curriculum requirements for a pupil should obtain the new, full guidance, Disapplication of the National Curriculum (Ref: DfEE 00084/2000)  from DfEE Publications:  Tel. 0845 60 222 60    Fax. 0845 60 333 60;     E-Mail: dfee@prologistics.co.uk

Also on the Department's Internet site at www.dfee.gov.uk  

Enquiries should be addressed to:          

Kate Hammond

Curriculum Division:

Tel: 020 7273 5194

E-mail: kate.hammond@dfee.gov.uk

Disapplication at key stage 4 for specific purposes, amplified with case studies from the first year of experience of disapplication for extended work-related learning, is on the QCA website: www.qca.org.uk

Disapplication at key stage 4 for specific purposes

Since August 1998, schools have been able to disapply up to two of design and technology, modern foreign languages and science to provide a pupil with an extended work-related learning programme.  From August 2000, design and technology and/or modern foreign languages may be disapplied for two further purposes:

·         to allow a pupil with particular strengths to emphasise a particular curriculum area;

·         to allow a pupil making significantly less progress than others of the same age to consolidate learning and progress across the curriculum.

The decision to disapply National Curriculum subjects for these purposes should be significant, based on the needs of the individual pupil and intended to maximise the pupil’s learning and attainment.

In addition, from August 2000, schools will be able to meet the statutory requirement for design and technology, modern foreign languages and science through courses leading to specified qualifications which do not meet the programme of study in full.  The following qualifications are allowed:

·         for design and technology:

AS Design and Technology: Product Design

AS Design and Technology: Food Technology

AS Design and Technology: Systems and Control Technology

·         for modern foreign languages

AS in all modern foreign languages

OCR Certificate in Business Language Competence

GNVQ language unit - oral communication - at foundation and intermediate level

·         for science

GNVQ science (six-unit award) at foundation and intermediate level

These courses may be used if they are more appropriate to pupils’ learning needs and would enable pupils to maintain successful study in the subjects.

The decision to disapply National Curriculum subjects, or to modify programmes of study to teach the specified courses, lies with the head. The full guidance, Disapplication of the National Curriculum,  outlines the criteria schools must meet for disapplication.  Each pupil remains entitled to a broad curriculum, equal opportunities and opportunities for progression.

Temporary disapplication at all key stages

Temporary disapplication of National Curriculum subjects or assessment requirements has been possible since 1989.  However from August 2000 the procedures change slightly:

·         to allow three consecutive directions of six months each; ( previously one six-month direction followed by two three-month directions was permitted)

·         to allow provisional plans for the continuation of the disapplication through a further direction to be included in a first direction, so long as arrangements for temporary disapplication do not predetermine a further period of disapplication;

·         LEAs’ and governors’ written consent to consecutive directions is NOT required

Other routes to disapplication

Disapplication of National Curriculum subjects and assessment requirements is also possible:

·         through a statement of special educational needs;

·         to allow curriculum development and experimentation.

No changes have been made to these procedures. The new QCA/DfEE publication Disapplication of the National Curriculum gives guidance on all types of disapplication

Awarding Bodies