30 May 2008
School teaching should be radically overhauled and given a new emphasis on the needs of the youngest children if the recent plateau in pupil progress is to be addressed, a centre-Left think-tank has said.
The influential Institute for Public Policy Research proposed measures intended to inject some stimulus into the school curriculum and enhance pupils' wellbeing. These include a refocused curriculum for five- to seven-year-olds, which would be structured around flexible themes rather than rigid subjects.
Teachers wanting to teach infant pupils should study for a new Kindergarten Postgraduate Certificate in Education, while there should be better training for teaching assistants on play-based approaches to learning.
Thursday's child, a report the IPPR intends to publish in June, also suggests that the school curriculum should be reformed to put greater emphasis on the development of broader social skills, such as team working, communication and self-management, alongside the core skills of literacy and numeracy.
Sonia Sodha, IPPR research fellow and the report's lead author, said: 'If we are serious about continuing to improve outcomes for all children, we need long-term reform that better gears our school system around the needs of children and young people. Improving results can't just be about focusing on maths, English and science. Schools need more support in developing healthy and happy young people.'
IPPR suggests restructuring the school year with terms spaced evenly through the year — possibly five eight-week terms with a fortnight's holiday in between and a month-long summer vacation. Research has shown reading ability drops over the long summer holiday.
PFmay2008
