Changes to the National Curriculum

Changes to the subject atomic number 18a computer programmeSince the presentation of the National course in 1992, a number of changes eng closeer been make to its structure and feed throughation. Identify and explain these changes and assess the contribution of the National curriculum in the effort to spring up standards in bringing up.This essay exit describe, locate and explain the changes that have occurred to the National computer programme (NC) since its conception in 1992. It impart to a fault assess these changes and evaluate the benefits and hard-foughties that it has experienced since 1992.The Education Reform cloak (ERA) came into effect in 1988, this enabled Kenneth Baker the Conservative Minister of Education to implement the roll- step forward of the National Curriculum in 1992 within primary / secondary reproduction. However, previous to 1992 on that point had been no National Curriculum and previously teachers had worked egress their have got sche mes of work that they deemed appropriate for their pupils.As a result of this the standard of education across the country varied con sloperably and the methods employed to teach were wide-ranging. With the effectuation of the National Curriculum in 1992, responsibility was shifted away from teachers to centralised goernance over what was to be taught. The National Curriculum take a shited a set-framework of acquire to enable children to move freely between schools as they would be tuition from the same framework.The National Curriculum ensured that schools taught a certain range of subjects, this consisted of cardinal subjects. The subjects were divided into two sub-categories (core and foundation). The three master(prenominal) core subjects were English, Maths and scholarship, and unneurotic with seven some other foundation subjects (Art, Home Economics. Music, History, a Modern conflicting Language (only compulsory in secondary schools), Geography and Physical Educatio n created the foundation of the National Curriculum. Compulsory National tests (SATS) were introduced at 7, 11 and 14 on core subjects. The results are published annu solelyy in conference tables (along with GCSE/A levels and truancy statistics).Changes occurred to the National Curriculum from its inception. Rather than world embraced the National Curriculum was met with hostility from whatever teachers and most of the larger teachers unions. One of the main criticisms of the National Curriculum by teachers and teaching unions was that at first discern that it contained far too legion(predicate) subjects and was considered to be too rigid, compared to what was previously taught. This meant that it was difficult to teach the subject well as the students had to learn so umteen subjects, and they presumed that it would be very difficult for students.The National Curriculum was similarly criticized for being extremely Eurocentric, as it was primarily focused around European cultu re, big(p) those from ethnic backgrounds very little opportunity to learn about their roots. accredited sections of the public besides argued that the regimen aspirationally fashioned the National Curriculum to remove subjects which they as a policy-making party are over against for political reasons, such(prenominal) as sociology, politics, and environmental sciences (they were never contained in the National Curriculum).However, a benefit to the National Curriculum was that teachers directly had to educate students in a range of subjects. This gave children / students a better start for the skills they would need for later in life. It was also disputed that the guinea pig Curriculum helped to reduce the division of girls and boys subjects, as both sexes were taught the same subjects. This helped to reduce the stereotyping of gender.In 1993, teachers decided to boycott the interior(a) plan testing arrangements (SATS) after complaining about the workload. The Secretary of call forth for Education, in a move in the right direction asked Sir Ron Dearing, who was the authoritative Chairman of the School Curriculum and Assessment AuthorityHYPERLINK http//www.bookrags.com/tandf/school-curriculum-and-assessment-tfp2000a9f68830215001 (SCAA), to follow the case curriculum. Dearing make an Interim Report in 1993 and a Final Report in 1994 (The Dearing Report) after a period of consultation with teachers and the teachers unions. In his story his recommended on slimming down the curriculum, and alter its administration. He also recommended that the slimmed down national curriculum should not be modify for five years and that national tests should be simplified without sacrificing validity or reliability. The revised curriculum was utilize from luxurious 1995.The 1992, Ofsted (The Office for Standards in Education) formed as part of the major reach and centralisation of the school system begun by the Education Reform represent 1988, which introduced the National Curriculum, extensive testing in schools and the publication of league tables. Ofsted inspections were carried out on school every 6 years. This change was introduced as it was believed standards need to be raised in schools.Many people popular opinion Ofsted inspections were a hefty idea, if schools were failing, it was noticed and measures were put in place in guild to correct these schools. However, Ofsted were also often seen to be too strict on schools, making it difficult for schools to pass inspection highly.Also, it was felt that many teachers and schools would improve their teaching standards while they were being inspected. Some schools would also send some of their worst behaved students on school trips for the inspections. This defeated the object of Ofsted inspections as it wasnt the natural teaching standards that were being tested. Recent inspections by Ofsted have revealed that although a good proportion of schools had improved since they were las t checked many were stilling failing.Figures released by Ofsted in 2009 show that 11% of schools checked since last kinsfolk were rated corking, while 9% were not up to scratch. Angela Harrison, BBCIn the year 2006-07, 14% of those checked were outstanding and 6% were inadequate. Angela Harrison, BBCIn 1997, the incoming The New Labour Government came into submit in the UK. They Introduced the National Literacy Strategy to all Primary Schools in England from September 1998 after setting targets for pupils at Key show 2 in English (80%), Mathematics (75), but not in Science.Previously a pilot project had been tested during 1996, which involved schools in 14 local anesthetic Education Authorities. The strategy was planned for teachers to teach a daily Literacy Hour, which followed a pattern of 30 minutes whole class teaching, then root word work and concluding with a plenary session. A number of documents have been published by the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) to help teachers raise standards in literacy at the time.The National Literacy Strategy framework endeavoured to improve standards for all primary aged pupils. The strategys purpose was to make sure that all pupils were receiving on a daily basis dedicated one hour of literacy. The end result would give pupils the opportunity to develop skills in reading, grammar, spelling, and oral work and help raise standards in teaching and learning.In the following year of September 1999 The National Numeracy Strategy framework was introduced and like the literacy strategy, aimed at raising standards for all primary pupils. Similar to the National Literacy Strategy it prescribed a one hour daily mathematics lesson for all pupils.The Five social class Review in 2000 set out the main aims and purposes of the National Curriculum for the first time. The four main purposes of the National Curriculum areTo establish an entitlement.To establish standards.To promote continuity and coherence.To promote public understanding.The National Curriculum has been put into place in the hope that children provide achieve and will have an entitlement to learning irrespective of their background, be it race, gender, cultural or otherwise. It also makes expectations for childrens attainment explicit for all concerned and sets out national standards for performance. These standards arse then be used for target setting, measuring progress and supervise progression.The Foundation order was introduced by the Labour political relation in 2000, to provide guidance for settings which provide care and education to pre-school children (aged 3 to 5). It was named the Foundation exemplify because it lays the foundations for childrens later learning. Neaum and Tallack, 2002. It evolved from the Rumbold Report of 1990, which investigated the educational provision for the under 5s, and found that there was a patchy, unplanned curriculum which was unsatisfactory.In 2004 a review was carried out of Key Stage 4, from this review the introduction of Entitlement subjects. The Curriculum Entitlement Framework provides pupils with advance to a wider range of learning opportunities suited to their needs, aptitudes and interests, irrespective of where they live or the school they attend.In 2007 the government abolished formal written Key Stage 1 SATS and replaced them with teacher recorded assessments. The Key Stage 1 assessments are very low key and completed by the pupils teacher over a period of a few weeks so they will be hardly aware that an assessment is taking place.In 2008 a review of Secondary National Curriculum resulted in bran-newborn Key Stage 3 and 4 Curriculum which was introduced in 2009. This updated part of the curriculum now offers Diplomas and other alternatives to current GCSE and A-level examinations.In 2009 the then current Labour government announces that Key Stage 3 Sats examinations are to be abolished and that Sir Jim Rose will be conducting a full review o f the Primary National Curriculum. The findings of the report will be implemented from September 2011.In May 2010 a general election was held and New Conservative / Liberal Democrat government came to power under David Cameron and Nick Clegg. The future changes to the new primary national curriculum which were put forward by Sir Jim Rose to be implemented from September 2011 have been shelved, the government stating that it does not intend to proceed with the new primary curriculum. Instead they are committed to giving schools more license from unnecessary prescription and bureaucracy. They have always made clear their intention to make changes to the National Curriculum that will ensure a depressed focus on the basics and give teachers more flexibility than the proposed new primary curriculum offered.The National Curriculum has undergone considerable change and training over the past twenty years and is still being altered and adjusted at the present day. Controversy still exist s as to the move up education should adopt for those over the age of 14 testing is thought to be heavily based on recall of knowledge boost a lack of skill development activities. Many of the original subjects that were needed no longer are, as it was felt the curriculum was too full.In my opinion, since the introduction of the National Curriculum, I believe that it was the keystone to greatly improving the standards of education that children receive in todays society. This is because before the standard of education students accepted was highly based on class status and was typically aslant towards the middle / upper class families, another factor was your locality in the country. Teachers also taught a range of subjects that they wished to teach as there were no set subjects so what you could be taught varied across the country. This led to many students leaving school with limited knowledge.With the introduction of the Literacy and Numeracy hours Sats results have increased again of the subsequent years but again now have slowed to a halt. As seen in the table below.But on the flip side having felt that on the whole the National Curriculum is effective it is also somewhat flawed. Children are taught to the test at a detriment to other subjects, and so they are missing out on a commodious and balanced curriculum.Schools and teaching staff will also admit that they are being forced to teach to the test cutting out subjects such as history, geography and art to inflate their position on national league tables or else look as if they are failing.The national tests also distort childrens education as they are being offered a dependant timetable as teachers are forced to focus on the core subjects. In a number of schools an emphasis on tests in English, Mathematics and Science limits the range of work in these subjects in particular year groups, as well as more broadly across the curriculum in some primary schools.Having said this, the positive points out weighed the negative greatly as it was the start towards the National Curriculum that we currently have today.