Menu
13/06/2012
Gove's New Curriculum 'Fatally Flawed'
A member of the expert panel involved in advising on national curriculum reforms has described Michael Goves’s proposed changes as "fatally flawed".
Academic Andrew Pollard, one of a team of four involved in the review, said the published proposals, which include officially mandated spelling lists, were so prescriptive they denied teachers the scope to exercise their professional judgment. He described Gove's initial instructions to the head of the review team as "crude".
Teachers will be presented with "extremely detailed" year-on-year specifications in English, maths and science that risk wrecking "breadth, balance and quality" in children's school experience, and fail to acknowledge that children learn at different speeds, he said.
Speaking to the Guardian, Pollard said there were two key problems with the proposed changes.
"It is overly prescriptive in two ways. One is that it is extremely detailed, and the other is the emphasis on linearity – it implies that children learn 'first this, then that'. Actually, people learn in a variety of different ways, and for that you need flexibility – for teachers to pick up on that and vary things accordingly.
"The government is keen to have high expectations, but they have to be pitched at a level which is realistic. If they are pitched too high, they will generate widespread failure."
The reforms will be opened to consultation and are due to be introduced in September 2014.
(H)
Academic Andrew Pollard, one of a team of four involved in the review, said the published proposals, which include officially mandated spelling lists, were so prescriptive they denied teachers the scope to exercise their professional judgment. He described Gove's initial instructions to the head of the review team as "crude".
Teachers will be presented with "extremely detailed" year-on-year specifications in English, maths and science that risk wrecking "breadth, balance and quality" in children's school experience, and fail to acknowledge that children learn at different speeds, he said.
Speaking to the Guardian, Pollard said there were two key problems with the proposed changes.
"It is overly prescriptive in two ways. One is that it is extremely detailed, and the other is the emphasis on linearity – it implies that children learn 'first this, then that'. Actually, people learn in a variety of different ways, and for that you need flexibility – for teachers to pick up on that and vary things accordingly.
"The government is keen to have high expectations, but they have to be pitched at a level which is realistic. If they are pitched too high, they will generate widespread failure."
The reforms will be opened to consultation and are due to be introduced in September 2014.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 September 2003
Rise in degree qualified teachers: survey
More secondary school teachers have degrees and more lessons are taught by teachers with degrees in that subject, according to the results of a new survey.
Rise in degree qualified teachers: survey
More secondary school teachers have degrees and more lessons are taught by teachers with degrees in that subject, according to the results of a new survey.
21 January 2004
Refugee teachers could fill gaps in UK schools, says agency
Education authorities should use refugees, fully qualified as teachers, to fill vacancies in the UK's understaffed schools, according to the Employability Forum.
Refugee teachers could fill gaps in UK schools, says agency
Education authorities should use refugees, fully qualified as teachers, to fill vacancies in the UK's understaffed schools, according to the Employability Forum.
22 March 2012
All School Children Should Learn Foreign Languages
A House of Lords committee has said that all primary and secondary school children should be learning a foreign language. According to the committee the UK’s attitude to languages has prevented its students from studying in Europe.
All School Children Should Learn Foreign Languages
A House of Lords committee has said that all primary and secondary school children should be learning a foreign language. According to the committee the UK’s attitude to languages has prevented its students from studying in Europe.
21 January 2004
Donor children win right to learn parent's identity
Children conceived through sperm, egg and embryo donations will be able to learn the identity of their donor when they reach 18 years of age, the government announced today. Under the new regulations, only people who donate after April 1 2005 will be identifiable. People who donate before this date will not be subject to the new rules.
Donor children win right to learn parent's identity
Children conceived through sperm, egg and embryo donations will be able to learn the identity of their donor when they reach 18 years of age, the government announced today. Under the new regulations, only people who donate after April 1 2005 will be identifiable. People who donate before this date will not be subject to the new rules.
25 January 2007
History to teach 'British' values
Education Secretary Alan Johnson has said that pupils need to learn history to understand "British values." In new-style classes teenagers will learn an understanding of core British values at the heart of Citizenship teaching lessons emphasising the importance of history to "Britishness".
History to teach 'British' values
Education Secretary Alan Johnson has said that pupils need to learn history to understand "British values." In new-style classes teenagers will learn an understanding of core British values at the heart of Citizenship teaching lessons emphasising the importance of history to "Britishness".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
