The AET Base Curriculum sets out clear minimum standards around the macro curriculum offer and time allocation for all AET schools.
It also sets out the areas of the curriculum where there is network alignment. This is driven by our belief that there is a minimum curriculum entitlement that all our pupils should access.
Each Base Curriculum is framed as a series of pupil entitlements, each with a rationale. The expectation is that schools will ensure that pupils receive each of their entitlements through the considered design of their curriculum and allocation of time.
The Base Curriculum is reviewed annually in consultation with school leaders via the Curriculum Network. It does not seek to set out a series of immovable rules, instead it provides a benchmark: any school-specific exceptions will require a clear rationale, which might relate to a range of context, cohort or resourcing factors. Where there are explicit expectations we make that clear.
Schools are asked to review their curriculum annually as part of their planning process for the following academic year. The curriculum audit process enables schools to directly reflect on their planned curriculum offer in the light of the ABC, which in turn informs the subsequent staffing review and budget setting processes. The audit also enables us to support schools in making considered curriculum choices and identify future opportunities for network collaboration.
AET Base Curriculum Documents for 25/26 - delivery from Sep 2025 and in design phase now
These documents were published at the start of Sep 2024 and are designed to support schools to appropriately plan their curriculum for delivery from September 2025. They should be used when mapping out the planned curriculum and when completing the curriculum audit and ICFP process.
AET Base Curriculum - Primary (Sep 2025)
Primary
AET Base Curriculum - Secondary (Sep 2025)
Secondary
Sixth Form
Historic AET Base Curriculum Documents- delivery from Sep 2024
These documents were published at the start of Sep 2023 to enable schools to prepare for and plan their curriculum for delivery from Sep 2024. As such, these are now historic documents that pertain to the current curriculum delivery only.
Each document refers to a specific phase and should be used when planning the curriculum for the subsequent year to ensure that pupil' entitlements are being met.
In summary: the documents below pertain to the ABC for implementation from Sep 2024.