Explanatory note

This Order, which applies to schools in Wales, revokes and replaces the Education (National Curriculum) (Key Stage 3 Assessment Arrangements) (Wales) Order 1997 (as amended). It specifies the assessment arrangements for pupils in the final year of the third key stage.

Article 2 revokes the 1997 Order (as amended).

Article 3 contains definitions of terms used in the Order.

Article 4 provides for pupils to be assessed by a teacher.

Article 5 sets out the purpose of the assessment in English, Welsh, mathematics, a modern foreign language and science and sets out the technical rules for determining a pupil's levels of attainment in those subjects.

Article 6 sets out special rules which apply in relation to pupils who are not subject to provisions of the National Curriculum (including pupils with statements of special educational needs).

Article 7 sets out the purpose of the assessment in geography, history, art, music, physical education and technology.

Article 8 requires arrangements to be made for the evaluation of the assessment arrangements.

Article 9 enables the National Assembly to make provision giving effect to or otherwise supplementing the provisions made by the Order.

The significant change made by the current Order is that it no longer makes provision for pupil tests. Accordingly, articles 10 and 11 of the 1997 Order are not re-enacted.