Curriculum
The latest news and developments on school curriculum, including Ofsted subject reviews, new policy and best-practice advice for your subject
Friday
26th Mar 2021
From Beethoven to Queen - DfE’s new music curriculum
The DfE finally publishes its model music curriculum after delaying for nearly two years
Why university-style lectures don’t work for A level
A-level classes are the dream for many teachers but a sudden switch from activity-based GCSE learning to university-style lectures can make the subject a struggle for you and your students, says Shabnam Ahmed
Why your school should join the culture club
It can be difficult to put a finger on why some schools flourish, even in the face of adversity. For Alex Quigley, the answer lies in a collection of shared behaviours, policies and values
Friday
19th Mar 2021
‘Catch-up’ is not in our AP school’s vocabulary
Children in alternative provision, who may already have missed some schooling, do not need to be told that they have lost another year because of the coronavirus, says Leanne Forde-Nassey
Is it helpful to talk about ‘lost learning’?
Politicians say students need to catch up on ‘lost learning’ after months of disruption to schools. 91¶¶Òõ asks six educationalists whether it is a useful expression to sum up the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on education
EYFS: Why catch-up shouldn’t put pressure on parents
In the early years, there is a danger that focusing too hard on catching up will put pressure on parents and undermine the family environment, warns Julian Grenier
Wednesday
17th Mar 2021
Will Ofsted’s curriculum focus hamper recovery?
NAHT says the national recovery effort is the ‘only game in town’ for schools and asks if they should be ‘distracted’ by curriculum-focused inspections
How Covid revealed the massive flaws in the curriculum
Homeschooling has ruthlessly exposed the fact that our curriculum is not fit for purpose, says the NEU’s Mary Bousted
Friday
12th Mar 2021
Why must we justify teaching students how to think?
Teachers should stop using flimsy arguments to justify subjects such as maths and English language to those who would prefer to see study rooted in the ‘real world’. Instead, we should be unapologetically clear about the intrinsic value of abstract ideas and ‘learning to think’, says Thomas Kent
How to keep up with oracy skills during remote learning
When teaching moved online, oracy skills may have taken a back seat, but Nicky Pear and Nicole Gurvidi formed a partnership to maintain an already strong focus on spoken communication