Search Mobile

collapse

already registered?

Please sign in with your existing account details.

Email address

Password

need to register?

Register to access exclusive content, sign up to receive our updates and personalise your experience on brownejacobson.com.

Privacy statement - Terms and conditions

Forgotten your password?

collapseSign

Browne Jacobson home

Home

Insights

Blogs

New national curriculum finalised

new national curriculum finalised

13 September 2013

The new national curriculum was published by the Department for Education yesterday, to be introduced in September 2014. The initial version published in February failed to make the grade, forcing the DfE to go back to the drawing board, but have they gone far enough?

The introduction of sock-darning to the design and technology curriculum was criticised by The Design and Technology Association, whilst history critics complained that the initial version did not support children’s learning. Whilst changes have been made, certain subject areas feel that little improvement has been realised.

Whilst maintained schools have to follow the national curriculum under The Education Act 2002, academies have more freedom under the Academies Act 2010 and simply have to offer a ‘broad and balanced’ curriculum. Bearing this in mind, we predict there will be a further wave of schools consulting on conversion if they feel that the new curriculum has failed to improve the programmes offered to their pupils.

related opinions

Is the SEND system working?

A recent report from the Local Government Ombudsman has highlighted significant concerns with the operation of the SEND system which is resulting in 87% of parental complaints against local authorities on SEND being upheld by the Ombudsman.

View blog

Second prosecution of its kind following Ofsted investigation for running an illegal school

A Head Teacher and her father were convicted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court for running an unregistered private school in Streatham.

View blog

School uniform under media spotlight

The new academic year has started with controversy over school uniform. Last week, a government inquiry heard evidence that costs for parents are being exacerbated by compulsory branded uniform, including clothing with school logos, and operating contractual arrangements for the supply of these items with single retailers.

View blog

Education Secretary confirms DfE 'backing' for exclusions

Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, has confirmed that head teachers who take “the decision to either suspend or expel a pupil because they need to do it in order to be able to enforce proper and full discipline in their school, and making sure that they're protecting the whole interests of the school, will always have my backing".

View blog

View all blogs