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Curriculum reforms in England 'to match world’s best' Curriculum reforms in England 'to match world’s best'
(35 minutes later)
A revised national curriculum for schools in England has been announced, with the aim of catching up with the world's best education systems.A revised national curriculum for schools in England has been announced, with the aim of catching up with the world's best education systems.
Prime Minister David Cameron says this "revolution in education" is vital for the country's economic prosperity.Prime Minister David Cameron says this "revolution in education" is vital for the country's economic prosperity.
The changes will include fractions for five year olds and teaching evolution in primary schools.The changes will include fractions for five year olds and teaching evolution in primary schools.
Labour said the curriculum should be written by experts and not depend on ministers' "personal prejudices".Labour said the curriculum should be written by experts and not depend on ministers' "personal prejudices".
Teachers' unions have warned that the timetable for implementing the changes in autumn 2014 is "completely unrealistic".Teachers' unions have warned that the timetable for implementing the changes in autumn 2014 is "completely unrealistic".
Head teachers have also asked whether politicians should be so directly involved in deciding what is taught in the classroom.Head teachers have also asked whether politicians should be so directly involved in deciding what is taught in the classroom.
'Engaging and tough''Engaging and tough'
The re-written national curriculum sets out the framework for what children in England's state schools should be taught between the ages of five and 14.The re-written national curriculum sets out the framework for what children in England's state schools should be taught between the ages of five and 14.
However, academies - which are now a majority of secondary schools - will not be required to follow the curriculum.However, academies - which are now a majority of secondary schools - will not be required to follow the curriculum.
"This is a curriculum that is rigorous, engaging and tough," said the prime minister."This is a curriculum that is rigorous, engaging and tough," said the prime minister.
Education Secretary Michael Gove said the changes to the curriculum were necessary to keep pace with the achievement of pupils in other countries.Education Secretary Michael Gove said the changes to the curriculum were necessary to keep pace with the achievement of pupils in other countries.
"No national curriculum can be modernised without paying close attention to what's been happening in education internationally," said Mr Gove."No national curriculum can be modernised without paying close attention to what's been happening in education internationally," said Mr Gove.
He cited Hong Kong, Massachusetts, Singapore and Finland as "the world's most successful school systems".He cited Hong Kong, Massachusetts, Singapore and Finland as "the world's most successful school systems".
The new-look curriculum puts a stronger emphasis on skills such as "essay writing, problem-solving, mathematical modelling and computer programming".The new-look curriculum puts a stronger emphasis on skills such as "essay writing, problem-solving, mathematical modelling and computer programming".
Core knowledge
Anthony Seldon, head master of Wellington College, welcomed the idea of a more demanding curriculum, saying that "young people shouldn't be patronised by work that is too easy".Anthony Seldon, head master of Wellington College, welcomed the idea of a more demanding curriculum, saying that "young people shouldn't be patronised by work that is too easy".
"Factual knowledge is essential," he said, providing the "building blocks" for more advanced ideas in subjects in the sciences, arts and humanities."Factual knowledge is essential," he said, providing the "building blocks" for more advanced ideas in subjects in the sciences, arts and humanities.
He says it is important for all youngsters to learn a common core of knowledge.He says it is important for all youngsters to learn a common core of knowledge.
"It can get too fluffy to say 'It's all on the internet,'" said Dr Seldon."It can get too fluffy to say 'It's all on the internet,'" said Dr Seldon.
Conservative peer Baroness Pauline Perry, a former chief inspector of schools in England, said she expected teachers would be "excited" by the opportunity for creativity allowed by the new curriculum. 'Steamroller'
This included local history projects at every stage, science experiments that pupils, rather than teachers, could conduct and exciting projects in design and technology classes, she said.
"We are going to produce a generation which is finally fitted with the skills and the knowledge they need in order to get jobs - we've failed them in the past," she told the BBC's Today programme.
Brian Lightman, leader of the ASCL head teachers' union, said that heads shared the aspiration for high standards, but warned of the practical problems of implementation.Brian Lightman, leader of the ASCL head teachers' union, said that heads shared the aspiration for high standards, but warned of the practical problems of implementation.
"One year to implement such ambitious proposals effectively alongside the vast number of concurrent reforms is a tall order.""One year to implement such ambitious proposals effectively alongside the vast number of concurrent reforms is a tall order."
He also questioned the level of political involvement in the process.He also questioned the level of political involvement in the process.
"Drafting a curriculum is a highly specialised and professional task. Unlike previous versions of the national curriculum, which were drafted with a heavy involvement of teachers and school leaders, these proposals have been driven and closely directed by politicians without that professional input.""Drafting a curriculum is a highly specialised and professional task. Unlike previous versions of the national curriculum, which were drafted with a heavy involvement of teachers and school leaders, these proposals have been driven and closely directed by politicians without that professional input."
He said the government needed to take "urgent steps" to include head teachers in implementing the changes.He said the government needed to take "urgent steps" to include head teachers in implementing the changes.
Mary Bousted, leader of the ATL teachers' union, accused the education secretary of wanting to "steamroller ahead" with rushed changes.Mary Bousted, leader of the ATL teachers' union, accused the education secretary of wanting to "steamroller ahead" with rushed changes.
"The timescales to which he is operating are completely unrealistic. He shows a fundamental lack of understanding of how much planning is needed to bring in a totally new curriculum and new exams for children in all age groups at the same time.""The timescales to which he is operating are completely unrealistic. He shows a fundamental lack of understanding of how much planning is needed to bring in a totally new curriculum and new exams for children in all age groups at the same time."
She told the BBC's Today programme that she feared the new curriculum would not be rigorous enough.She told the BBC's Today programme that she feared the new curriculum would not be rigorous enough.
"It will be a memory test and that is not what children and young people need for the 21st Century when their lives and their work will require skills of knowledge acquisition, understanding and being able to implement the knowledge.""It will be a memory test and that is not what children and young people need for the 21st Century when their lives and their work will require skills of knowledge acquisition, understanding and being able to implement the knowledge."
Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg said: "David Cameron and Michael Gove have spent the last three years trying to personally rewrite the National Curriculum - they should have listened to the experts in the first place. Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg said: "David Cameron and Michael Gove have spent the last three years trying to personally rewrite the national curriculum - they should have listened to the experts in the first place.
"They have had to go back and change the programmes of study for design and technology, geography and history after experts warned there were serious omissions and they were not suited to prepare young people for the challenges of the modern world. It's right that changes have been made to ICT and computing following concerns raised by Labour and the ICT sector, but we await further details."They have had to go back and change the programmes of study for design and technology, geography and history after experts warned there were serious omissions and they were not suited to prepare young people for the challenges of the modern world. It's right that changes have been made to ICT and computing following concerns raised by Labour and the ICT sector, but we await further details.
"Labour wants to ensure the national curriculum sets clear expectations for the knowledge and skills children and young people should reach by a certain age. This curriculum looks like more of the same though.""Labour wants to ensure the national curriculum sets clear expectations for the knowledge and skills children and young people should reach by a certain age. This curriculum looks like more of the same though."