Curriculum
What does 'curriculum (as determined by the Board of Studies) for primary or secondary schools in accordance with the Education Act 1990' mean?
This means the curriculum that is based on and taught in accordance with Board of Studies syllabuses and/or the curriculum for the School Certificate and/or Higher School Certificate.
What are the curriculum requirements a school must comply with in providing primary education?
A registered non-government school must have:
- an educational program comprising courses of study based on, and taught in accordance with, the outcomes of Board of Studies syllabuses for the six key learning areas (KLAs) of primary education:
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- English
- Mathematics
- Science and Technology
- Human Society and Its Environment
- Creative Arts
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- courses of study in each of the KLAs for each child during each Year
- courses of study that are appropriate for the children concerned having regard to their level of achievement and needs
- courses of study in accordance with any relevant guidelines developed by the Board and approved by the Minister.
Can a school modify part of the Board of Studies syllabus? If so, what are the requirements?
Registered primary schools and secondary schools that are not accredited for the School Certificate or Higher School Certificate can apply for Board approval to modify one or more outcomes of a Board syllabus as it considers necessary to enable any part of a key learning area that appears to the Board to be incompatible with the educational philosophy or religious outlook of a registered non-government school. The outcomes of School Certificate and Higher School Certificate courses cannot be modified.
Where a registered school considers that one or more of the outcomes of a Board of Studies syllabus are incompatible with the school's educational philosophy or religious outlook the school can seek Board approval to use modified outcomes for that part of the syllabus. Applications are made using Form 5 for an individual school and Form 10 for registration system schools. Applications must be submitted nine (9) months prior to the projected date that the school intends to commence using the proposed modified outcomes.
What documentation should a school maintain if the Board has approved the modification of an outcome(s) of a Board syllabus?
The required documentation is described in the evidence of compliance in section 3.3.2 in the Registered and Accredited Non-government Schools (NSW) Manual and 5.3.2 in the Registration Systems and Member Non-government Schools (NSW) Manual.
I want to open a school for Years 11 and 12 only. How many subjects do I need to offer?
The school must offer sufficient courses for all students to be eligible for the Higher School Certificate.
To be eligible for the HSC, students must complete satisfactorily a Preliminary pattern of study comprising at least 12 units and a HSC pattern of study comprising at least 10 units. Both patterns must include:
- at least six units from Board Developed Courses
- at least two units from a Board Developed Course in English
- at least three courses of two units value or greater (either Board Developed or Board Endorsed Courses)
- at least four subjects.
The rules and procedures for the Higher School Certificate are detailed in the ACE Manual.