Learning context - National curriculum

National curriculum

The national curriculum was first introduced in all the state schools throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in 1988. It is based on the education acts of 1988 and 1996 insuring that all children’s learning needs are met.

All schools are now by law required to follow the national curriculum, this is so there is a balanced network and guide that children will follow, and makes it easier for inspections as they have a guide to follow and assessments to meet, it also makes it easier for parents to move a Childs school without effecting their learning it also gives parents a sense of well being in knowing that the work the child will be doing will be similar if not the same so they are still able to help them with homework.

The National curriculum is divided into 4 stages

Key stage one – 5-7 year olds (year 1 and 2)

Key stage two – 7-11 year olds (years 3 to 6)

Key stage three – 11-14 year olds (years 7 to 9)

Key stage four – 14-16 years old (years 10 and 11)

At the end of each stage a child will be assessed and get a certificate of completion allowing them to move onto the next stage.

The national curriculum which is a guide that links into the foundation phase by adapting its key stage one so it fits in with the foundation phase curriculum is in place for children 5 to 16 years old and it includes the key stages two, three and four which follow the curriculum of:

·        - Welsh

·         -Music

·        - English

·        -Modern foreign languages (Ks3)

·         -Maths (Primary framework is split into 7

1.    Using and applying maths

2.    Counting and understanding numbers

3.    Knowing and using number facts

4.    Calculating

5.    Understanding of shapes

6.    Understanding measuring

7.    Knowledge and understanding in handling data)

·        - Science

·         -History

·         -ICT

·         -Design and technology

·         -Geography

·         -Art and design

·         -Physical Education

·    And religious education (Parents can remove their child from the RE curriculum if they choose to, this supports their rights and ensures that all children are treated and respected to their individual needs)

This is supported by (government, 2012)

Within secondary schools the national curriculum continues and states that “schools must also provide

·         -Careers education

·         -Work-related learning

·         -Religious education

·         -Sex and relationship education (SRE)” (Beaver, 2008)Pg 270

Since the national curriculum was introduced it has meant that practitioners have to plan activities that will develop children’s learning and help them develop whilst staying in the line of the framework ensuring that the learning environment for children is Purposeful (benefit the child), Supportive (meets child’s needs), Varied (a variety of choice including indoor and outdoor), Balanced (meet all learning styles), challenging and exciting.

Here is a short clip on the national curriculum