09 February 2007
School and teaching leaders have welcomed proposals to slim down the school curriculum for 11 to 14 year-olds.
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority this week published a major review of the secondary curriculum, the first in six years, which would give teachers greater flexibility while retaining the core elements of the National Curriculum.
English, maths, science and design and technology remain the backbone, supplemented by IT, languages, art, music, humanities, PE and citizenship.
But there will be more emphasis on using the curriculum as a whole to develop general skills such as enterprise, initiative and the capacity for independent learning.
Education Secretary Alan Johnson said the draft curriculum had been designed to create greater flexibility for schools to ensure pupils mastered the basics as well as stretching those who excel. 'The curriculum should evolve to meet a rapidly changing world, and enable teachers to teach in a way that will continue to interest and enthuse their pupils,' Johnson said.
John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, backed the move. 'We particularly welcome the secretary of state's undertaking to increase flexibility for teachers… we are pleased that schools will be given more flexibility to take into account local priorities within a national framework,' he said.
Steve Sinnott, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, agreed but added: 'Any reform, however, must include the message to teachers that their judgements about when and what to teach are respected.'
The proposals were issued for consultation on February 5 with a view to implementation in 2008.
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