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This Order gives effect to the Document entitled "Welsh in the National Curriculum" and provides for the attainment targets and programmes of study set out in it to have effect for the four key stages of pupils' compulsory schooling. It replaces the Education (National curriculum) (Attainment Targets and Programmes of Study in Welsh) Order 1990 (as amended) which referred to, and gave effect to, attainment targets and programmes of study contained in an earlier Document. The 1990 Order, as amended, continues to apply to the extent to which the present Order is not yet in force.

The present Order adopts the same timetable as the old Order (as amended) for bringing into force the National Curriculum requirements for various key stages in the case of certain categories of schools (see articles 3(2), (3) and (4)) and in the case of certain specified schools (see articles 3, 4 and 6 and Schedules 1 to 4). Similarly, the schools specified in article 5(2) and Schedule 5, which are exempt from the fourth key stage requirements under the old Order (as amended), continue to be exempt under the present Order.

The provision made for bringing into force the requirements for key stage 4 in respect of Welsh-speaking and non-Welsh-speaking schools reflects the provisions of the Education (National Curriculum) (Exceptions in Welsh at Key Stage 4) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994/1270).