Draft of new 'overhauled' school curriculum published

A draft of the new school curriculum - the biggest overhaul of education in Wales - has been published.

The proposed changes would see traditional subjects replaced by so called 'Areas of Learning and Experience' and the current Key Stages would be scrapped in favour of a new system of continuous assessment.

In what's being hailed as the biggest shake up to education here since 1988, The Welsh Government said the new curriculum will 'prepare learners for employment in a fast-changing world.'

What is the new curriculum?

lt will be based on six broad areas of learning:

• Humanities

• Health and Wellbeing

• Science and Technology

• Languages, Literacy and Communications

• Expressive Arts

• Maths and Numeracy

English and Welsh will remain statutory, as will Religious Studies and Relationships and Sexuality Education.

Alongside this, literacy, numeracy and digital competence will be statutory up to 16 years old and key stages will be removed - instead, there will be Progression Steps relating to expectations for learners ages 5, 8, 11, 14 and 16.

From September 2022, it will be introduced in primary and Year 7 classes before being rolled out to all year groups.

While the new curriculum has been welcomed, concerns have been raised about the lack of resources to support the roll out.

Likewise, the NASUWT - the teaching union - said it could lead to schools and local authorities 'reducing costs' by 'lowering teaching staff levels'.

The Welsh Government says it's allocated £44 million to support schools and teachers to prepare for the new curriculum.

The Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, said the reform is 'necessary':

The launch marks the start of a consultation period, with groups including parents, teachers and businesses invited to comment on the proposals.

The consultation closes on July 19th, with the curriculum due to be finalised next January.