 The term is defined in The Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 as "the period beginning at the same time as the next school year after the end of the foundation stage and ending at the same time as the school year in which the majority of pupils in his class complete two school years in that key stage".Notably, the foundation stage is defined as lasting for two years from the start of compulsory education.The term is used to define the group of pupils who must follow the relevant programmes of study from the National Curriculum.