To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he plans to enable all schools to have discretion on whether to follow the national curriculum.

All maintained schools are currently required to follow the national curriculum and we have no plans to change that requirement. Subject to the passing of the Academies Bill, academies will offer a broad and balanced curriculum. Through their Funding Agreements, they will also be required to teach English, mathematics and science. They will not, however, be required to follow the national curriculum.