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Q
I am a primary teacher and have heard that the Government is changing the national curriculum. What is actually being proposed and when is it going to happen?
A
The Government is considering a new national curriculum for both the primary and secondary sectors. So far the proposals for the primary sector suggest that teaching may be more directed, with rote learning a key method of delivery. In its response the NUT has strongly opposed this, along with the suggestion that all pupils should be expected to move on at the same rate and that year-on-year targets should be set for maths.
It is expected that, following consultation, the new primary English, maths, science and PE programmes of study will be taught from September 2014.
The Union responded to an informal consultation on Draft Programmes of Study for English, Maths and Science in the summer term, with the formal consultation expected this term. We will let members know how they can respond through our website and member bulletins.
The Union is working closely with children’s authors, academics, other unions and curriculum organisations to oppose the direction of travel being taken by the Government on this matter. We are arguing for a broad, balanced entitlement for children which allows teachers the freedom and flexibility to deliver a
relevant curriculum appropriate to the pupils in their class.
Further information about the national curriculum review can be found at
www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/nationalcurriculum. Copies of the Union’s response to the Expert Panel Report and the joint response from the Union and other organisations can be downloaded from
www.teachers.org.uk/taxonomy/term/1852.
Q
Can you explain how school inspections have changed since Ofsted introduced its new inspection framework in September?
A
The most significant change is to the categories that Ofsted use when they report on schools. The ‘satisfactory’ category has been replaced by a new category, ‘requires improvement’. Schools judged as ‘requires improvement’ will be reinspected within a maximum of two years and are likely to receive a monitoring visit within six weeks of the publication of the Ofsted report.
These schools will normally have to be judged as having progressed to ‘good’ within the space of two further inspections (over a maximum period of four years) or they are likely to be identified as ‘inadequate’ and requiring ‘special measures’.
The ‘outstanding’ category has also changed. Teaching must now be judged ‘outstanding’ for the school to be ‘outstanding’ overall.
The ‘notice to improve’ category has been replaced with ‘serious weaknesses’. This is likely to be where Ofsted considers that a school requires significant improvement, but leadership and management are not ‘inadequate’.
Schools will now normally only be notified of an inspection the afternoon of the prior working day.
The NUT believes the changes make inspection even more punitive and damaging. We will monitor the new arrangements closely, including by surveying members in schools that are inspected under the new arrangements, and will continue to campaign for an end to the Ofsted system of inspection.
Further information is available on the Ofsted website at
www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/framework-for-school-inspection-september-2012-0.
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