Curriculum consultations... and freedoms...

For a long period of time, the DfE has been dealing with a range of consultations on the new curriculum.
They have some major aims for this curriculum, which is set to counter various perceived problems with the previous one, and of course to bring back some rigour, and bring us up the PISA ratings etc.
This year has seen many negative stories challenging the integrity of dedicated teachers, and much shifting of goalposts and poor decisions on changing qualifications.

Earlier this week, the GA submitted their thoughts, and had discussions at the DfE relating to the Secondary School Accountability consultation (PDF download)

And then yesterday, on the DfE website, was an announcement of their latest decision (PDF download)
This hasn't had a lot of publicity, and I'm grateful to Simon Renshaw for bringing it to my attention.

If I've read this correctly, you can basically teach what you want in Geography from September 2013 to 2014, when you need to start teaching the new curriculum.


Having carefully considered the responses to this consultation, as well as a range of other relevant factors, the Government has decided to proceed to make the regulations to disapply the programmes of study, attainment targets and statutory assessment arrangements from September 2013 for:

  • English, mathematics and science for pupils in year 3 and year 4 
  • all foundation subjects for pupils at key stages 1 and 2
  • all subjects for pupils at key stages 3 and 4. 

So they've decided to carefully consider the responses...
But if you look at the numbers, only 23% of the people who responded to the consultation wanted the curriculum disapplying....

Reasons for the decision are given in the PDF document.
Of course we still don't know what the new curriculum will be, and there's also uncertainty about the various awarding body courses, but we can at least start planning for what we know will happen: we'll want to teach interesting enquiry-based geography which is relevant and accessible. We'll have to prepare students for exam-style assessments, and also plan fieldwork opportunities.

In the meantime, this might be a good chance to try a few new things while you can.
If you need support in any of this, you know where to find me.

What are you planning to do next year ?

I wonder what the UKIP view on Geography in the curriculum is ?

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