Implications of the Changes to the 14-19 Curriculum

Gary Waugh

Introduction and Overview

• Why is the curriculum changing ?

• What is being changed ?

• Implications of these changes ?

Reasons for Change

• Address skills issues

• Improve participation and deal with disengagement

• Increase Achievement

• Challenge and stretch at high levels

• Support and qualifications at low levels

14-19 Education - 4 Routes

National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)

4321Entry

Apprenticeships

Diploma

Foundation

GCSE A Level

Functional Skills

• English, Maths and ICT

• Directly address literacy and numeracy issues

• Platform on which to build employability skills

• Free-standing qualifications

• Integral part of Diploma, Apprenticeships and Foundation Learning

Personal, learning and thinking skills

• Areas of competence most demanded by employers

• Skills : - team working and effective participation - independent enquiry and self-management - reflective learning and creative thinking

New Secondary Curriculum

• Less prescription more flexibility

• Coherence and communality

• Focus on aims

Implications

• For pupils :– More choice and entitlement– More support at lower levels and challenge at higher

• For education providers :– Wider curriculum - Diploma and Foundation Learning– Increased resources required

Conclusions

• Flexible routes for learning

• Focus on skills

• Addresses learning issues

• Challenge and resources