In education, the range of subjects offered
within an institution or course. Until 1988,
the only part of the school curriculum
prescribed by law in the UK was religious
education. Growing concern about the low
proportion of 14- and
16-year-olds opting to study maths, science,
and technology, with a markedly low take-up
rate among girls, led to the central
government in the Education Reform Act 1988
introducing a compulsory National Curriculum,
which applies to all children of school age
(5-16) in state schools. There are three core
subjects in the curriculum: English, maths,
and science, and seven foundation subjects:
technology, history, geography, music, art,
physical education, and a foreign language.
The move towards central control of the
curriculum has been criticized as it removes
decision-making from the local authorities
and schools, and tightens control over
teachers. The term also refers to the
specific series of courses required for
graduation and to the series of topics taught
within any one course during a semester.