Professionalism and the primary curriculum

published:14 Jul 2009

Overview
Proposals on the reform of the primary curriculum are currently being sought by the Government.  The reforms aim to bring clarity and coherence to the primary national curriculum.  The reforms also seek to have the knock on effect of enhancing teachers’ curriculum design role to better meet needs of all children and young people in a rapidly changing world.

To engage with these ideas the GTC and the QCA held a national conference on 7 July 2009, to support the teachers:

• respond to the Primary Curriculum Reform Proposals
• explore the implications of changes to the primary curriculum for your professional learning
• engage and reflect on research to inform your curriculum design practice.

Presentations
First, Gareth Mills from the QCA covered the thinking behind the reform of the primary curriculum and what the reforms entail.  For more detail about the ideas and issues Gareth Mills covered the primary curriculum consultation website, where you can find an interactive guide to the proposals.

The GTC and Becta then responded to the proposals.  Kathy Baker, Head of Policy Development at the GTC, highlighted the positive coherence and flexibility the new curriculum offers. Andy Tyerman, Head of Professional Learing at Becta explored the implications of placing ICT at the heart of the core skills for the primary national curriculum.

Robin Widdowson from the QCA then led an interactive voting session to garner views from teachers on some of the key issues on the reform proposals.  Just before lunch, Sarah Stephens, Director of Policy at the GTC explored the opportunities and challenges that the profession faces for its development in the light of the changes to the national curriculum.

In the afternoon, Philippa Cordingley, Director of the Centre for the Use of Research in Education, looked at the research into effective curriculum design and at ways the profession can engage with that evidence to inform their practice.

Get involved
The GTC’s professional networks will continue to support teachers engage with debates on curriculum reform and support teachers in developing their curriculum design knowledge and skills.

If you would like to get involved or would like to know more about our plans for the a curriculum design network in the future, get in touch by emailing us at: gtcnetworks@gtce.org.uk