Curriculum, Qualifications and Assessment

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EBac introduction to have far-reaching implications

The NASUWT has surveyed members working in the secondary sector in England to assess their early experiences of the impact of the EBac. 

It is apparent from the results of the survey that the proposal to introduce the EBac alone has prompted significant changes in policy and practice in the secondary sector.

Read the findings of the English Baccalaureate Survey Summary.

Use of international benchmarking data in Wales (PDF 125KB)

Standard Assessment Tests (SATS)

This video is embedded from the NASUWT YouTube channel. You may have difficulty viewing it if you have filters blocking the site.

 

The NASUWT works to influence Government policy throughout the UK to ensure that the members’ voices are heard and that the realities of how teachers and headteachers work are not forgotten. NASUWT’s work in social partnership is an important vehicle to ensure that teachers do not become swamped by burdensome requirements which do not require their professional expertise or distract from the work they do to raise pupils’ standards of achievement.

The Union produces detailed publications which help members understand the impact of current education policy and more general trends in education across the UK.

The NASUWT also regularly provides detailed responses to Government consultation and provides evidence to Government reviews which will affect members and the schools and colleges where they work.

You can access NASUWT publications, consultation responses and evidence to Government through the resource finder.

Education Conference 2010

On 11 February 2010, the NASUWT held a major Conference at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham along the theme of innovation in the curriculum. Chaired by former Schools Minister Stephen Twigg, the event explored issues related to accountability, inspection and the role of school leaders as well as offering a perspective of the curriculum in Wales.  

A report of the conference can be viewed here (opens in new window).

Highlights of the event and the views of delegates can be seen below. This video is embedded from the NASUWT YouTube channel. You may have difficulty viewing it if you have filters blocking the site.

 

The curriculum in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

By law, all children of compulsory school age (between 5 and 16) must receive a full-time education. The National Curriculum was introduced fully by 1992 and state schools are required to adhere to it until students reach age 16. However, independent schools and, in England, academies are not required to do so.

• The NASUWT comments on Coalition Government's new floor target for primary schools
• The NASUWT comments on latest PISA figures

The curriculum in Scotland

Scotland has its own qualification framework that is separate from that in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. After seven years of primary education and four years of compulsory secondary education, students aged 15 to 16 may take the Scottish Certificate of Education (SCE). The Scottish Certificate of Education is recognized throughout Britain as the equivalent to GCE A-levels and is usually the entry qualification for university.

The Scottish curriculum is currently going through a national review called A Curriculum for Excellence with the aim of developing a streamlined curriculum for 3-18-year-olds and implementing new approaches to assessment.

The purposes of the curriculum are to enable all young people to become:

• successful learners
• confident individuals
• effective contributors
• responsible citizens.

A Curriculum for Excellence will be based on seven principles which will underpin all the learning experiences of children and young people throughout their 3-18 education.