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Technology key in primary review Technology key in primary review
(20 minutes later)
A major review of England's primary school curriculum says technology should be a new "centrepiece" along with English and maths.A major review of England's primary school curriculum says technology should be a new "centrepiece" along with English and maths.
Former chief inspector of schools Sir Jim Rose recommends a new focus on speaking and listening skills.Former chief inspector of schools Sir Jim Rose recommends a new focus on speaking and listening skills.
And he says that children should be able to start school in the September after their fourth birthday, if parents wish.And he says that children should be able to start school in the September after their fourth birthday, if parents wish.
Schools Secretary Ed Balls says he accepts Sir Jim's recommendations.Schools Secretary Ed Balls says he accepts Sir Jim's recommendations.
Mr Balls says the government will fund children to begin school in September after their fourth birthday from 2011.Mr Balls says the government will fund children to begin school in September after their fourth birthday from 2011.
Some local authorities do this already, but some defer a child's start until January of the following year.
But if parents wish, they can opt for a free full-time nursery place instead.But if parents wish, they can opt for a free full-time nursery place instead.
His report stresses the importance of children's personal development, saying that children's wellbeing is underpinned by the acquisition of a range of skills.
The government recently said that personal, social and health education would be compulsory from age five.
'Computer-savvy''Computer-savvy'
Sir Jim said children today were computer literate from a young age and should be taught to use podcasts and computer presentations in primary school.Sir Jim said children today were computer literate from a young age and should be taught to use podcasts and computer presentations in primary school.
Sir Jim recommends the internet becomes embedded in the curriculum, with pupils using websites like Google Earth and Wikipedia. He recommends the internet becomes embedded in the curriculum, with pupils using websites like Google Earth and Wikipedia.
Primary teachers should be given extra training to stay ahead of computer-savvy pupils.Primary teachers should be given extra training to stay ahead of computer-savvy pupils.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
The primary curriculum has become too "fat", he said.The primary curriculum has become too "fat", he said.
"We need to slim it down and give teachers time more flexibility and opportunity to think creatively." "We need to slim it down and give teachers more flexibility and opportunity to think creatively," Sir Jim told Radio 4's Today programme."
Children's reading and writing depended on what they could say, Sir Jim told Radio 4's Today programme. Children's reading and writing depended on what they could say.
"If children can't say it, they can't write it. The interdependency is very clear," he said."If children can't say it, they can't write it. The interdependency is very clear," he said.
In his interim report he suggested there should be six broader "areas of learning", rather than up to 14 individual subjects such as history, geography and science.In his interim report he suggested there should be six broader "areas of learning", rather than up to 14 individual subjects such as history, geography and science.
But he stresses arts subjects, as well as history and geography, would still be given weight. But he stresses arts subjects, as well as history and geography, will still be given weight.
Previous reports that individual subjects would be undermined were inaccurate, he stresses. Previous reports that individual subjects would be undermined were inaccurate, he said.
StrategiesStrategies
The government's technology agency, Becta, is believed to have warned Sir Jim that if information communications technology (ICT) was not built into the curriculum, there was a risk that a "digital underclass" would emerge.The government's technology agency, Becta, is believed to have warned Sir Jim that if information communications technology (ICT) was not built into the curriculum, there was a risk that a "digital underclass" would emerge.
The final Rose review is being published as a report by an educational think tank concludes government strategies to improve literacy and numeracy in primary schools have failed.The final Rose review is being published as a report by an educational think tank concludes government strategies to improve literacy and numeracy in primary schools have failed.
The Policy Exchange said standards were rising faster before ministers introduced national strategies and their apparent success was a "cruel illusion".The Policy Exchange said standards were rising faster before ministers introduced national strategies and their apparent success was a "cruel illusion".
SUGGESTED AREAS OF LEARNING Understanding English, communication and languagesMathematical understandingScientific and technological understandingHuman, social and environmental understandingUnderstanding physical health and well-beingUnderstanding the arts and designSUGGESTED AREAS OF LEARNING Understanding English, communication and languagesMathematical understandingScientific and technological understandingHuman, social and environmental understandingUnderstanding physical health and well-beingUnderstanding the arts and design
The government introduced its first primary literacy strategy in 1998 and a primary numeracy strategy in 1999, at a cost of £2bn, the report found.The government introduced its first primary literacy strategy in 1998 and a primary numeracy strategy in 1999, at a cost of £2bn, the report found.
It said most of the improvements in standards came after national curriculum tests (known as Sats) were introduced in 1995 - before the Labour government launched its strategies.It said most of the improvements in standards came after national curriculum tests (known as Sats) were introduced in 1995 - before the Labour government launched its strategies.
It recommends national strategies be phased out and schools be allowed to choose their own literacy and numeracy programmes.It recommends national strategies be phased out and schools be allowed to choose their own literacy and numeracy programmes.
Head of the Policy Exchange's education unit, Anna Fazackerley, said children were being let down.Head of the Policy Exchange's education unit, Anna Fazackerley, said children were being let down.
"Even with lower pass marks, easier tests, widespread 'teaching to the test' and millions of pounds spent on consultants and advisers, our literacy and numeracy standards are woefully behind those of other countries," she said."Even with lower pass marks, easier tests, widespread 'teaching to the test' and millions of pounds spent on consultants and advisers, our literacy and numeracy standards are woefully behind those of other countries," she said.
Schools Minister Sarah McCarthy-Fry said: "Last year 120,000 more pupils left primary school having mastered the basics compared to 1997 and we've gone up in the latest international league tables.Schools Minister Sarah McCarthy-Fry said: "Last year 120,000 more pupils left primary school having mastered the basics compared to 1997 and we've gone up in the latest international league tables.
"Only 53% of children left primary school reaching the expected level in English and maths under the Tories. After a decade of investment and reform under Labour that's now up to almost three-quarters.""Only 53% of children left primary school reaching the expected level in English and maths under the Tories. After a decade of investment and reform under Labour that's now up to almost three-quarters."
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