The national curriculum
Other compulsory subjects
Children also need to study relationships, sex and health education, and religious education (RE).
They will not take exams in these subjects - except RE, which is an optional GCSE subject.
Schools must have a written policy on relationships education (primary schools) and relationships and sex education (secondary schools), which they must make available to parents for free.
Parents may ask for their child to be taken out of some of these lessons.
Relationships education
Relationships education is compulsory for all primary and secondary school pupils.
Sex education
Sex education is compulsory in secondary schools. Parents can ask to withdraw their child from parts or all of sex education taught as part of relationships and sex education. Parents cannot withdraw their child from sex education taught in science.
Students can opt back in to sex education from 3 terms before they turn 16.
Primary schools can choose to teach sex education but it’s not compulsory. Parents can withdraw their child from sex education in primary school.
Health education
Health education is compulsory for all pupils in state-funded primary and secondary schools.
Religious education
RE is compulsory in schools up to the age of 18. Parents can ask to withdraw their child from parts or all of the lessons.
Local councils are responsible for deciding the RE syllabus, but faith schools and academies can set their own.