Schools set out curriculum issues
The extent of schools’ dissatisfaction with England’s curriculum is set out in a
series of reports by advisers.
Almost a third told the QCA watchdog they disagreed that science and
maths helped develop pupils’ enjoyment of learning, the reports for 2005-06 show.
The decline of modern languages – pupils’ least favourite subject
– continued, with fewer taking GCSEs.
The QCA is already acting to make the curriculum more appealing to
pupils and is seeking people’s views on its plans.
Chief executive Ken Boston said it had published its proposals for a
new secondary curriculum last month, and this monitoring work had played a big part in
shaping the review proposals.
“We are very keen to hear from anyone in education, parents, pupils,
teachers and governors, about their views on the curriculum - and in particular their
views on the proposals – before the consultation closes on 30 April.
“We want a national conversation about the curriculum and I’d
encourage anyone with an interest in the curriculum to take part.”
The annual reports, covering the whole curriculum, relate summaries of
responses to a QCA questionnaire sent to teachers.
A questionnaire for pupils in Year 8 – the second year of secondary
education, when they are 12 or 13 – revealed that just over a third looked forward to
going to school and just under a third did not.
Almost all wanted to do well but less than three quarters believed they
were.
PE was the favourite subject – though children felt they did not
spend enough time on it.
Least favourite – and regarded as most difficult – was modern
languages.
Girls also said they found maths hard.
A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills said the new
draft secondary curriculum was designed to create greater flexibility for schools to offer
stretching opportunities for all children, including those with particular gifts and
talents.
“These proposals move us away from a “one size fits all”
curriculum to one that offers more flexibility to tailor teaching to pupils’ needs and
aspirations,” he said.
“More flexibility for teachers, more interesting for pupils.”
Story from BBC NEWS