Events > The New Primary Curriculum: Transforming the Learning Experience in Every Classroom

Event Details

Title:

The New Primary Curriculum:
Transforming the Learning Experience in Every Classroom

Date:

Wednesday 15th July 2009

Time:

10:15am – 4:30pm

Venue:

One Whitehall Place, Westminster, London

“The Review has tried to capture the distinctiveness of the primary phase. The curriculum that primary children are offered must enable them to enjoy this unique stage of childhood, inspire learning and develop the knowledge, skills and understanding which are the building blocks for secondary education and later life.”
— Sir Jim Rose, Author, Independent Review of the Primary Curriculum, April 2009

“Sir Jim’s review will give primary heads and teachers more freedom to decide what to teach and how, so children enjoy learning and make good progress.”
“I believe that Sir Jim’s new curriculum will set a new standard in primary education in this country, which is central to us achieving the ambitions we set out in the Children’s Plan.”
— Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, Secretary of State for Children, Schools & Families, April 2009

Overview

When the Children’s Plan was unveiled in December 2007, the ambitious set of targets outlined by the Government hinged on all local agencies, including social services, health services and schools, working together to transform the 2020 vision into reality. Turning to the education sector’s role, the Children’s Secretary commissioned Sir Jim Rose to conduct the most extensive review of the primary school curriculum in over a decade. Seeking to answer the fundamental questions around what the 21st Century curriculum should contain and how it should be taught, the Review published its findings and recommendations in April this year. Key features within the comprehensive set of proposals include:

Strengthening teaching & learning of ICT alongside English & Maths as the centre-piece of new primary curriculum

Simplifying and integrating the curriculum through six core areas of learning

Greater emphasis on personal development, wellbeing and oral communication

Building stronger links between the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, and between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3

With the Rose Review currently undergoing a statutory consultation process, this special Public Policy Exchange symposium, hosted by the Centre for Parliamentary Studies, offers a timely opportunity for primary schools, local education authorities and other stakeholders to examine the key recommendations and consider their impact in shaping the new primary curriculum. The symposium will assess how the proposals can be taken forward into a practical and robust framework, particularly in view of the shift from a prescriptive curriculum to one based on flexibility and choice. It is hoped that this radical change will transform the learning experience in every classroom and empower schools to deliver personalised teaching to meet each child’s individual learning needs.

With the new primary curriculum expected to be implemented by September 2011, preparation and planning starts now to set in place “the building blocks for secondary education and later life”. Delegates will have the opportunity to debate, share ideas and network with colleagues from across the education, local authority and government landscape.

Programme

09:00

Registration & Morning Refreshments

10:15

Chair’s Welcome and Opening Remarks

10:30

Panel Session One:
The New Primary Curriculum – Shaping a Core Learning Experience Fit for the Future

Examining the Rose Review Recommendations
Raising Standards in Reading, Writing and Numeracy
Simplifying and Integrating the Curriculum through Six Areas of Learning
Building Stronger Links From Early Years Foundation through to Key Stage 3

Helen Williams, Director, Curriculum and Pupil Well-being, Department of Children, Schools and Families (Confirmed)