New report set to warn against subject focus in the primary curriculum

A major new report from Pearson Centre for Policy and Learning has argued that schools must not come under pressure to conform to a secondary model of subject-based curriculum.

In responding to the current Government-commissioned National Curriculum review many groups have called for a return to a more traditional, knowledge-based curriculum in primaries. However, the Pearson report has found that many primary teachers are sceptical about what they see as a secondary model of subject-based teaching and were instead keen to work in themes.

The Pearson report ‘Subject to Change’ – due to be published next week – is based on a review of research and case studies of five high-performing schools and five high-performing school systems. It found that many successful primary schools in the UK and abroad do not structure learning around subject disciplines but used themes, and that thematic teaching did not mean a neglect of the basics.

The report also recommends that schools explicitly teach learning strategies and the Government should resist the temptation to pressure primaries into a particular curriculum design. Julie McCulloch, author of the report, described how “The Government must avoid becoming fixated on ensuring content coverage or enforcing an unpopular approach to curriculum design”.

The report has not yet been published, but will be added to this page when available, visit the Pearson website for more information in the meantime.