05. What will my child be taught at school?

All state-maintained schools must provide the national curriculum. This sets out what most children should be taught. However, a school can 'except' (remove) your child from some or all of the national curriculum for a short time if they think this is best for your child. You have a right to ask the head teacher to remove your child from certain lessons for a strong educational reason.

You can appeal to the school's governing body if:

• you don't agree with the school's decision to remove your child; or
• the head teacher won't remove your child when you ask for this.

You have the right to stop your child taking part in:

• all or part of any sex education that is not part of the national curriculum; and
• religious education and worship. (You can also take your child out of classes or out of the school at the start or end of a school session for religious worship or education.)

You can also complain about the curriculum to the governing body and to the local education authority.