Understanding the Requirements

The guidance on what to publish about your curriculum and careers programme varies depending on your school type. Here’s a clear breakdown of what you need to have on your website.

For Maintained Schools

The curriculum requirements for maintained schools are extensive and fall under the 'what you must publish' category. You need to provide:

• Curriculum Content: The content of your school’s curriculum for every subject in each academic year. This includes mandatory subjects like Religious Education (RE), even if it's taught as part of another subject.

• Right to Withdraw from RE: Clear information for parents explaining their right to withdraw their child from all or part of Religious Education.

• Accessibility Plan: A detailed plan outlining how, over time, you will increase the participation of disabled pupils in the curriculum.

• Contact Information: A clear way for parents or members of the public to find out more information about the curriculum you follow, often provided as a contact email address.

Key Stage Specific Requirements

• Key Stage 1: If you have Key Stage 1 provision, you must publish a list of any phonics or reading schemes you use.

• Key Stage 4: If you have Key Stage 4 provision, you must publish a list of all courses offered, including GCSEs and other qualifications.

Careers Guidance (Secondary Schools)

If you are a secondary school, you must also publish detailed information about your careers programme, including:

• The name and contact details of your Careers Lead.

• A summary of your careers programme and how pupils, parents, teachers, and employers can access information about it.

• Information on how you measure and assess the programme's impact on pupils.

• The date by which this information will be next reviewed.

• A Provider Access Policy Statement, which sets out the circumstances in which providers of technical education and apprenticeships can get access to pupils in Years 8 to 13.

For Academies and FE Colleges

While there are many similarities with maintained schools, the guidance for academies and FE colleges has some subtle but important differences in wording and scope.

Curriculum and Policy Requirements

• Academies must publish their policy on Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and should consult with parents when developing and reviewing it.

• You must publish your curriculum content for each subject and academic year, including RE.

• You must provide information on the parental right to withdraw from RE.

• You must state how the public can find out more about the curriculum.

• Where applicable, you need to list your Key Stage 1 phonics schemes, your Key Stage 4 courses, and any 16 to 19 qualifications you offer.

• Academies are also expected to publish their Music Development Plan.

• Academies with 16 to 19 provision should publish information showing how their curriculum meets the official study programme requirements.

Careers Guidance

The rules are very similar to maintained secondary schools. Secondary academies, 16 to 19 academies, and FE colleges should publish:

• A Provider Access Policy Statement.

• Information about their careers programme, including the name of the Careers Lead, a summary of the programme, how its impact is measured, and a clear review date.

Ensure Your Website is Compliant, Instantly

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