Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency

The government is committed to a far-reaching agenda for change in the curriculum for students aged 14-19 (see the DfES website 14-19: opportunity and excellence). Changes to the key stage 4 curriculum are part of that vision. The main aim is to offer greater flexibility and choice for students.

The new key stage 4 arrangements aim to:

• challenge all students whatever their ability
• use curriculum flexibility to motivate students and encourage achievement
• encourage institutions to work together to deliver programmes suitable for each student.

Guidance for schools

QCA has published three documents that outline the changes and offer guidance on their implementation from 2004:

• Changes to the key stage 4 curriculum: guidance for implementation from September 2004.
• Work-related learning for all at key stage 4: guidance for implementing the statutory requirement from 2004.
• Modern foreign languages in the key stage 4 curriculum. 

These documents can be downloaded from this web page.