QCA consultation on the secondary curriculum

On February 5th,  QCA launched an online consultation on proposed changes to the curriculum at key stages 3 and 4. The aim is to provide teachers with a  more flexible, less prescriptive framework for teaching, creating more scope to tailor the curriculum to meet the needs of individual pupils.

There are major implications for PSHE with the proposal. PSHE, work-related learning, careers, enterprise, and financial capability have been brought together under PSHEE (personal, social, health and economic education) with two non-statutory programmes of study at key stages 3 and 4: personal well-being and economic well-being. The programmes of study build on the existing frameworks and guidelines in these areas. They can be viewed on the QCA website at www.qca.org.uk/secondarycurriculumreview/subject/index.htm

Learning for personal development across the curriculum is also featured as one of three ‘curriculum lenses’.  At the launch of the consultation QCA Head of curriculum development, Sue Horner, said that this ‘lens’ was the least developed of the three and that feedback, ideas and case studies would be particularly welcome.  The personal development ‘lens’ can be viewed at www.qca.org.uk/secondarycurriculumreview/lenses/

We hope that as many PSHE subject association members as possible will respond to the QCA review with their views on the overall proposals and on the programmes of study themselves.