Introduction
The review of the National Curriculum in England was launched by the Secretary of State on 20 January 2011. At the time of launch we made clear that the review would be conducted in a way that is open and outward-facing. This update, which is the first in a regular series which we will publish through the course of the review, aims to give all those who are interested a sense of the progress of the review as it continues its work to design the new National Curriculum.
If you have any questions, or would like any further information, contact the National Curriculum Review mailbox.
Expert panel
The review expert panel has been set up to provide detailed advice on the construction and content of the new National Curriculum by drawing on a robust evidence base to inform the drafting of new Programmes of Study and build a detailed framework for the National Curriculum. The expert panel has met on three occasions since the launch of the National Curriculum Review in January, with meetings scheduled on a three-weekly basis. The expert panel is made up of a small number of leading educationalists and academics: Tim Oates, Group Director of Assessment Research and Development at Cambridge Assessment and Professors Mary James, Andrew Pollard and Dylan Wiliam.
To date the panel has largely been focused on scoping and planning its work, reviewing early findings from international comparisons research in the core subject areas of English, mathematics and science, and undertaking initial meetings with a range of experts in these areas. Members have also been engaging with other relevant reviews being undertaken by or on behalf of the Department, including the Early Years Foundation Stage review.
Over the coming weeks members will continue with their work in English, mathematics and science, and also move forward with their work in drawing up a new slimmed-down Programme of Study for physical education. As part of this work expert panel members will be attending various seminars and events over the next few weeks to discuss the progress of the review and engage with a wide range of individuals and organisations.
If you’d like to find out more about the Expert Panel you can see pen pictures of its members and read the Panel’s terms of reference by visiting the National Curriculum section on the Department’s website.
Advisory committee
The advisory committee to the review, which consists largely of successful current or former headteachers, met formally for the first time on 16 February. Matters for discussion included the committee’s terms of reference and also the remit for the review. More substantively the committee looked at the early findings from the expert panel’s work looking at the different approaches to designing mathematics curricula in different countries and jurisdictions, and also discussed issues around progression and attainment as they relate to the National Curriculum.
The next meeting of the committee is scheduled to take place in April. If you’d like to find out more about the advisory committee you can see pen pictures of its members and read the committee’s terms of reference by visiting the National Curriculum section on the Department's website.
Upcoming activity
As well as the continuing work of the expert panel and advisory committee described above, the Department’s review team will continue discussions with stakeholders on the key issues surrounding the phase one subjects of English, mathematics, science and physical education at a number of different events. We are also working up our plans for taking forward work on the range of other issues covered in the remit, including making recommendations on which other subjects beyond English, mathematics, science and physical education should remain part of the National Curriculum in future.
Call for evidence
We are delighted to be able to say that we have received over 2200 responses to the call for evidence for the review since it launched on 20 January 2011 – an indication of the high level of interest that there is in this work. If you haven’t responded, then we want to hear your views on the future of the National Curriculum. Please tell us what you think and send any evidence you have for the review to consider by visiting the National Curriculum call for evidence. The call for evidence closes on 14 April 2011.
