
1 

(1) This Order may be cited as the Curriculum (Programme of Study and Attainment Targets in English at Key Stages 3 and 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 1996.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), this Order shall come into operation on 1st September 1996.
(3) The provisions of this Order relating to the fourth key stage shall come into operation on 1st August 1997 in respect of pupils in the second year of that key stage.
2 

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Curriculum (Programmes of Study and Attainment Targets in English) Order (Northern Ireland) 1990, in so far as it relates to the third and fourth key stages, is hereby revoked.
(2) The Curriculum (Programmes of Study and Attainment Targets in English) Order (Northern Ireland) 1990 shall continue to have effect until 1st August 1997 in respect of pupils in the second year of the fourth key stage as if this Order had not been made.
3 
In this Order—
 “the Document” means the document published by Her Majesty’s Stationery Office entitled “Key Stages 3 and 4, Programme of Study and Attainment Targets, English”; andreferences to “level descriptions” are references to the levels set out in the Document in relation to each attainment target at the third key stage.
4 
It is hereby directed that the provisions relating to the programme of study and attainment targets set out in the Document shall have effect as provided in Articles 5 to 8 for the purpose of specifying in relation to English—
(a) a programme of study; and
(b) attainment targets.
5 
The programme of study for the third and fourth key stages are specified in relation to those key stages as set out in the Document.
6 
The attainment targets described in the Document (to which the level descriptions referred to in Article 7 relate) are specified in relation to the third key stage.
7 
The level descriptions related to the attainment targets described in the Document are specified in relation to the third key stage at levels 1 to 8.
8 
The contents which are printed in italics in the Document or which are not printed on a tinted background serve to illustrate the programme of study and attainment targets described and do not form part of the provisions which have effect by virtue of this Order.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Education on 29th July 1996.
C. Jendoubi (Mrs.)
Assistant Secretary
