This September marks the switch in the national curriculum for our school children and with it comes a whole new approach and attitude towards teaching the youth of today. The national curriculum contains the overall targets and programmes of study for all subjects and at all stages; aside from key stage 4 sciences. This programme of study will follow after a public consultation on the initial draft agenda.

All schools within the UK must begin teaching these programmes of study from September onwards, but with the following exceptions:

  • Children in years 2 and 6 should be taught the current programmes of study in English, Maths and Science (2014-2015);
  • These particular pupils must sit the existing key stage 1 and 2 tests;
  • New tests will be offered from 2016;
  • From September 2015, year 10 pupils should be taught key stage 4 programmes of study for Maths and English – as well as year 11 pupils from September 2016.

Primary Schools – Here is What you Need to Know

It is absolutely necessary that primary schools employ the new national curriculum as of September 2014; although some schools have already implemented year 3 and 4 programmes of study since August 2013. Despite this, year 2 and 6 national tests carried out in 2014 and 2015 will assess children on the existing national curriculum.

This of course means that the existing curriculum for English, maths and science is still taught to years 1, 2, 5 and 6 in 2013-2014. In addition to this, these stipulations also mean that the existing curriculum for these same subjects will be taught to years 2 and 6 in 2014-2015.

What Has Changed Exactly?

In the new national curriculum, programmes of study have been made more challenging and leaner compared to the current curriculum. It will also focus more on what the current government deems to be essential subject knowledge. English, maths and science programmes come with a new list of objectives and the ultimate programmes of study are both detailed and prescriptive.

In other non-core subjects, syllabuses are reduced significantly in order to allow teachers more autonomy to develop a custom curriculum to suit their own school. The ex-secretary of state for education, Michael Gove, has ensured that the national curriculum levels will be replaced with a new system of assessment and accountability.

Changes to English

The primary aim for English in the new curriculum is to encourage and support high levels of literacy. To do this, teachers must equip pupils with a strong command of written and spoken language; as well as help them to develop a love of literature and reading for enjoyment. The curriculum aims to confirm all pupils:

  • Can read fluently and with a solid understanding;
  • Develop an interest in reading for pleasure and information;
  • Learn and practice a wide vocabulary;
  • Gain an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions;
  • Can write clearly and coherently;
  • Can adapt their writing styles to suit a range of contexts, demographics and purposes;
  • Discuss and explain their ideas and understandings in order to learn;
  • Can speak and listen competently, both individually and as part of a debate.

Changes to Mathematics

The new programmes of study for mathematics are notably more challenging than those in the old curriculum and aim to ensure pupils are more fluent in the basics of this subject. The new system also aims to ensure pupils are able to reason mathematically and able to solve problems by applying their mathematical understanding. Throughout key stages 1 and 2, the main focus is ensuring pupils can accurately read and spell mathematical vocabulary. The new curriculum aims to confirm all pupils:

  • Are fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics;
  • Obtain a theoretical knowledge of mathematics and have the ability to recall and apply their understanding quickly and correctly;
  • Use mathematical language to develop an argument, justify proof or estimate a relationship by following a line of enquiry;
  • Solve problems by applying their mathematical knowledge with sophistication.

Changes to Science

Keeping in line with the challenging nature of the new curriculum, the new syllabus for science incorporates more hard facts alongside increased scientific language and knowledge. The new national curriculum for science aims to confirm all pupils:

  • Develop a deep understanding and knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics;
  • Develop a thorough understanding of the processes and methods of the subject through different scientific enquiries;
  • Can answer scientific questions focused on the world around them;
  • Obtain the knowledge necessary to understand the implications and uses of science both today and in the future.