New primary curriculum from 2011

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has announced a new primary curriculum for England and Wales, to be implemented from September 2011.

The revised curriculum follows a review by Sir Jim Rose and consultation by the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA).

From 2011 the primary curriculum will be organised around six broad areas of learning to achieve what Sir Jim Rose described as 'a more integrated and simpler framework for schools'.

In the new curriculum science and technology are brought together in the area of 'Scientific and technological understanding', which will be taught alongside 'Mathematical understanding', 'Understanding English, communication and languages', 'Understanding the arts', 'Historical, geographical and social understanding', and 'Understanding physical development, health and wellbeing'.

The purpose of the primary curriculum review was to further strengthen the focus on ensuring that all pupils develop the essential reading, writing, numeracy and personal skills they need in order to learn and develop; give schools greater flexibility to meet pupils' individual needs and reducing prescription where possible; improve transition from early years education to secondary education; and advise on how best to make languages compulsory at Key Stage 2.

The next step is to implement the new curriculum by creating the new areas of learning in law through the Children, Schools and Families Bill, currently before Parliament.

You can download the new curriculum here.