All subjects back on the timetable after break;Curriculum 2000;Primary

14th May 1999, 1:00am

Share

All subjects back on the timetable after break;Curriculum 2000;Primary

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/all-subjects-back-timetable-after-breakcurriculum-2000primary
Government releases final proposals for new curriculum. Sarah Cassidy reports.

PRIMARY schools must reinstate the full range of subjects when the new national curriculum is introduced in 2000.

Art, music, PE, design and technology, history and geography must be covered in full when the light-touch system ends next year.

However some schools could face upheaval if they have dropped topics which become compulsory under the new curriculum. From September 2000, OFSTED inspections will once again judge primaries on how well they cover the entire syllabus.

Education Secretary David Blunkett had given primaries a two-year reprieve to create more time for the 3Rs and allow teachers to introduce the literacy and numeracy strategies.

Since last year, primary schools have only been obliged to teach the full curriculum in English, maths, science, information technology and religious education.

The six foundation subjects still have to be taught. For the moment, however, they way they are covered is up to teachers.

Ofsted inspectors cannot currently criticise schools for failing to cover the full syllabus in foundation subjects. They do, however, report on teaching and learning and on the contribution each subject makes to literacy and numeracy teaching.

Subject organisations, who saw the original relaxation as an attack on the broad and balanced curriculum, welcomed the move.

Want to keep reading for free?

Register with Tes and you can read two free articles every month plus you'll have access to our range of award-winning newsletters.

Keep reading for just £1 per month

You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get:

  • Unlimited access to all Tes magazine content
  • Exclusive subscriber-only stories
  • Award-winning email newsletters
Recent
Most read
Most shared