Geography conference– The ‘Big Picture’

The new secondary curriculum is more than just the revised programmes of study. At its heart is a new curriculum planning and design approach that aims to promote:

• Increased flexibility to make the curriculum more coherent for learners

• Opportunity to tailor/customise/localise to make more impact on the learner

• Whole curriculum design (aims, subjects, skills, personal development, cross-curricular dimensions)

To support this schools are being encouraged to consider their curriculum in the context of the whole learning experience of children and not just the lessons.

With this in mind three core questions will be at the heart of the delivery of materials, briefings and the programme as a whole:

• What are we trying to achieve?• How can we organise the learning?• How are we achieving our aims?

Reflecting these approaches and the core aims of the curriculum there is a new layout for subject programmes of study:

• Importance statement• Key concepts• Key processes• Range of content• Curriculum opportunities

…implementing the new curriculum is intended to be a whole school process…

Aims

• Discuss with the person next to you.. What you want learners to look like when they leave.

• Successful learners• Confident individuals• Responsible citizens

Where can I find out more?

A big picture of the curriculum

Adapted with thanks to colleagues at the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA)

Working draft July 2007

The curriculum as an entire planned learning experience underpinned by a broad set of common values and purposes

Three key questions

3How well

are we achieving our aims?

Assessmentfit for purpose

Whole curriculum dimensions

Learning approaches

Components

Accountability measures

Every Child Matters outcomes

Focus for learning

Curriculum aims

Be healthy Stay safe Enjoy and achieve Make a positive contribution Achieve economic wellbeing

Attitudes and attributeseg determined, adaptable, confident,

risk-taking, enterprising

Knowledge and understandingeg big ideas that shape the world

Skills eg literacy, numeracy, ICT, personal,

learning and thinking skills

Successful learnerswho enjoy learning, make progress and achieve

Responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society

Confident individualswho are able to lead safe, healthy and fulfilling lives

The curriculum aims to enable all young people to become

To make learning and teaching more effective so that learners understand quality and how to improve

Embraces peer- and

self-assessment

Uses tests and tasks

appropriately

Links to national standards which are consistently

interpreted

Helps identify clear targets

for improvement

Gives helpful feedback for the learner and other

stakeholders

Maximises pupils’

progress

Promotes a broad and engaging curriculum

Draws on a wide range of evidence of

pupils’ learning

Is integral to effective

teaching and learning

Informs future

planning and teaching

Statutory expectations

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Physical development

Personal, social and emotional development

Mathematical development

Knowledge and understanding of the world

Communication, language and literacy

Creative development

1What

are we trying to achieve?

2Howdo we

organise learning?

Attainment and improved standards

Behaviour and attendance

Further involvement in education, employment or training

Civic participation

Healthy lifestyle choices

To secure

Including all learnerswith opportunities

for learner choice and personalisation

Using a range of audience and

purpose

Matching time to learning need eg

deep, immersive and regular frequent

learning

In tune with human

development

A range of approaches eg enquiry, active

learning, practical and constructive

Building on learning beyond the schoolincluding community and business links

Opportunities for spiritual, moral, social,

cultural, emotional, intellectual and

physical development

Overarching themes that have a significance for individuals and society, and provide relevant learning contexts:Identity and cultural diversity - Healthy lifestyles – Community participation – Enterprise – Global dimension and sustainable development –

Technology and the media – Creativity and critical thinking.

Lessons Out of schoolExtended hoursRoutinesEventsLocations Environment

PLTS

Curriculum opportunities