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	Changes to the key stage 4 curriculum from 2004
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Changes to the key stage 4 curriculum from 2004

Advice

In August 2003, following a formal consultation, QCA submitted advice to the Minister of State for School Standards on implementation of changes to the key stage 4 curriculum. This made the following recommendations:

From 2006 there should be smaller programme of study for science.
QCA should produce a “road map” of qualifications and investigate additional ways to accredit the ICT capability of all students.
Work-related learning should become a statutory requirement from 2004, supported by a non-statutory framework setting out the minimum experience schools should provide.
Design and technology (D&T) and modern foreign languages (MFL) should cease to be compulsory at key stage 4.
Entitlement areas comprising the arts, D&T, the humanities and MFL must be part of the curriculum offer in 2004. Schools should be required to make courses in these areas available to all students.
Disapplication regulations relating to D&T and MFL should be withdrawn from 2004. Those relating to science should be withdrawn from 2006.

The full text of the advice can be downloaded below.

In September 2003, the Minister of State for School Standards accepted these recommendations. The text of his reply can be downloaded below.

Documents to download

> QCA's advice on changes to the key stage 4 curriculum(497kb)
> Minister of State for School Standards' reply(329kb)

Also see

> Report of findings from the consultation on proposed changes to the KS4 curriculum May - July 2003 (938kb)