Event Details

“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 last year. Key features within the comprehensive set of proposals include:

• Strengthening teaching and learning of ICT alongside English and 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

Following the comprehensive statutory consultation process, an abundance of ideas have been put forward, both locally and nationally, in response to the challenge initiated by the Rose Review. 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 proposals and consider their impact in shaping a new primary curriculum fit for the future. The symposium will assess how the best ideas can be taken forward into a practical and robust framework, particularly in view of the shift from a prescriptive curriculum to one based on localism, 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.

As we embark on a crucial year for the education sector, 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

Who Should Attend?

• Primary Teachers, Head-Teachers & Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators
• Schools & Local Education Authorities
• Curriculum Leads & Development Officers
• School Governors & Ofsted Inspectors
• Learning & Skills Council
• Qualification Authorities & Exam Boards
• Directors of Children's Services
• Children's Services & Families Services Officers
• Local Safeguarding Children Boards
• Sure Start, Children's Trusts & Children's Centres
• Early Years & Childcare Practitioners
• Children's Health Service Professionals
• Child & Adolescent Mental Health Practitioners
• Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinators
• Teacher Training Providers & Organisational Development Professionals
• Education Providers
• Extended Schools Advisors
• Social Workers & Social Services Officers
• Children & Youth Organisations
• Community Development Managers
• Social Exclusion & Neighbourhood Renewal Teams
• Welfare Rights Organisations
• DCSF, DWP, DoH & other Central Government Departments & Agencies
• Equality and Diversity Practitioners
• Third Sector Practitioners
• Academics & Researchers
• Teaching Unions