MINISTERS are currently considering the second draft of the new curriculum which contains even less compulsory content than the first version produced in December. The initial version was considered too content-heavy and difficult to deliver.
The Government’s curriculum quango, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, sent its advice to David Blunkett, the Education Secretary, just before Easter.
The QCA’s own taskforce of primary heads warned that teachers would struggle to deliver the literacy and numeracy strategies as well as new citizenship lessons.
In response the QCA aims to increase flexibility by slimming down curriculum content in the second draft.
Mr Blunkett is currently considering the QCA’s advice and will announce his own proposals next month. There will be a formal consultation on these official draft Orders and a final version is due to in September for implementation in September 2000.