Frequently Asked Questions

History of the National Curriculum in England

What is the purpose of this curriculum review?

Process of the National Curriculum review

When will the new curriculum be introduced into schools?

History of the National Curriculum in England

The English National Curriculum was introduced as a nationwide curriculum for primary and secondary state schools following the Education Reform Act 1988. It does not apply to independent schools, which may set their own curriculum, but it ensures that state schools of all Local Education Authorities have a common curriculum. Academies, while publicly-funded, have a significant degree of autonomy in deviating from the National Curriculum.

The purpose of the National Curriculum was to standardise the content taught across schools. Since its introduction it was undergone various revisions.

The Wellcome trust have published a discussion paper Leading Debate: 21 Years of the National Curriculum for science which reflects back on the impact of the National Curriculum for science since it was first introduced in 1988.

What is the purpose of this curriculum review?

According to DfE, the Government believes that, "As it has developed, the National Curriculum has come to cover more subjects, prescribe more outcomes and take up more school time than originally intended. It is our intention that the National Curriculum be slimmed down so that it properly reflects the body of essential knowledge in key subjects and does not absorb the overwhelming majority of teaching time in schools. A slimmed-down National Curriculum will also free up teachers to use their professional judgement to design curricula that meet the needs of their pupils."

Process of the National Curriculum review

The National Curriculum Review is being led by the Department for Education (DfE). DfE will be advised by an Expert Panel and also an Advisory Committee (mainly head teachers, with some HE and employer input).

The review covers 5-16 education and has two phases:

1. Phase 1 - Call for Evidence launched for English, mathematics, science and PE from 5-16 on what should be taught and when. These subjects will continue to be compulsory to the end of Key Stage 4.

2. Phase 2 - Call for Evidence on the remaining curriculum subjects (Art and Design, Citizenship, Design and Technology, Geography, History, ICT, Modern Foreign Languages, Music) to determine whether any of these subjects should be statutory or have non statutory guidance. Subsequent work will take place to develop the curricula.

When will the new curriculum be introduced into schools?

It is intended that the National Curriculum Programmes of Study for the Phase 1 subjects will be in school for September 2012, and will be taught from September 2013. It is not yet decided how the National Curriculum for these subjects will be phased in.

It is intended that the National Curriculum for the Phase 2 subjects will be in schools by September 2013, and be taught from September 2014.

How can I get involved with the review?

The Government has launched a Call for Evidence for the first phase of the review. This covers the four compulsory subjects English, mathematics, science and P.E.

The Department for Education (DfE) say that they will also be taking forward work with subject communities and other experts over the course of the review to build an evidence base on which recommendations and proposals will be build. DfE will also work to engage with teachers and their representatives to secure their input.

The published proposals for the first phase will be published towards the end of the year for further wide-scale public consultation before final decisions are made.