BY CAROLINA PINHEIRO
If your children study in the U.K, what will they learn at school? U.K school curriculum is very interesting, but… what is a curriculum by the way?
WHAT IS A CURRICULUM?
In education, the school curriculum is the set of courses and activities offered by a school or university. In the U.K, there is a National Curriculum implemented for maintained schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland private schools do not follow the National Curriculum. The curriculum is made for primary and secondary schools.
The National Curriculum includes: the subjects taught; the skills, know ledges and understanding required for each stage; the attainment targets and expected progress in each subject; how the progress of the student is reported.
LEGISLATION
The school curriculum follows the Education Reform Act from 1988. This document is probably the most important document regarding to education in the U.K. This document introduced the National Curriculum, the Grant-maintained schools, the Local Management of Schools, the City Technology Colleges, the “Key stages”, also, the parents became able to specify the school they preferred for their children, the word “degree” usage received more control and the Academic Tenure was abolished.
Another document regulating the Curriculum is the Education Act 2002 which states a few aspects relating to Education in general. Regarding the curriculum it states that
the curriculum for a maintained school or maintained nursery school, or for any funded nursery education must promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society, and prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.
HOW THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM IS ORGANIZED
The National Curriculum is organized in four key stages, which are blocks of ages:
• Key Stage 1: ages 5-7 (years 1-2)
• Key Stage 2: ages 7-11 (years 3-6)
• Key Stage 3: ages 11-14 (years 7-9)
• Key Stage 4: ages 14-16 (years 10-11)
Each key stage and subjects have a programmed of study, which is a set out of what will be taught to pupils in each stage. The stages also have the attainment targets. Attainment targets are the expectations of the skills, knowledge and understanding that the students should have by the end of each key stage.
In key stages 1, 2 and 3 pupils will learn art and design; design and technology; English; geography; history; information and communication technology; mathematics; music; physical education and science; religious education;
Key stage 4 is regulated by the Lear Education Act 2002. At the key stage 4 students study a mix of obligatory subjects added to a subject in each of the entitlement areas offered: mathematics; English; Science (physics, chemistry and biology); Information and Communication Technology; Physical Education; Citizenship. The students should also choose one subject in each of the four entitlement areas:
· ARTS: Arts and design; or music; or dance; or drama; or media arts.
· DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY: design and technology
· HUMANITIES: geography; or history
· MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGE (MFL): any modern foreign language specified in an order made by the Secretary of State.
· Schools must also provide RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, SEX EDUCATION and CAREERS EDUCATION.
As we can see, Britain has a very complete curriculum for all ages. Also, some changes in the curriculum are being introduced. These changes want to give teachers more flexibility and freedom to plan their lessons. The changes also want to give students more guidance about their future by the age of 16.
I hope the "school curriculum" subject had been clarified here. And do not forget: When looking for a new school for your children, be informed about the curriculum (if it is a private school) and if the curriculum follows the law (for maintained schools). It is your children’s future!
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