1. Wales
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Curriculum overhaul for schools in Wales

A new curriculum will be available for schools in Wales in three years' time under Welsh Government plans.

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New curriculum for schools in Wales 'by 2018'

A new curriculum will be available for schools in Wales in three years' time under Welsh Government plans.

Education Minister Huw Lewis wants the new curriculum designed and developed by 2018, with formal teaching beginning by 2021.

The Education Minister wants 'better learning and higher standards'. Credit: Dave Thompson/PA Wire

Mr Lewis confirmed in June that Wales would press ahead with plans to overhaul the existing curriculum.

Proposals include making digital skills a priority, giving teachers more freedom, and making smoother transitions between subjects and year groups.

More: Education Minister confirms curriculum overhaul

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NUT welcomes newly announced curriculum reforms

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) has welcomed the Welsh Education Minister, Huw Lewis's reforms of the curriculum.

We welcome the fact the Education Minister has accepted the principles of the Donaldson review in full. We also welcome the very sensible approach the Minister has taken in not setting unrealistic timescales for implementation.

The proposals are a radical departure from how the curriculum has been delivered in the past and will require a major change, not only in how the teaching profession go about their work, but also in how local authorities, regional consortia, Estyn and the Welsh Government act.

– Owen hathway, NUT Cymru
  1. Tom Sheldrick

Education Minister confirms curriculum overhaul

The Education Minister has confirmed that Wales will press ahead with plans to overhaul the school curriculum here.

Proposals include making digital skills a priority, giving teachers more freedom, and making smoother transitions between subjects and year groups.

Huw Lewis told Assembly Members this afternoon he will accept the recommendations from Prof Graham Donaldson's report in full.

Read More: February 2015 - Proposals for 'radical overhaul' of school curriculum

Education Minister Huw Lewis has not put a timescale on implementing curriculum changes.

We need a curriculum which is ambitious, engaging and fit for the challenges of the twenty first century.

The national curriculum of 1988 has served an important purpose, but we can no longer address the weaknesses of the current curriculum through a 'patch and mend' approach.

– Huw Lewis, Education Minister

He announced a search for pioneer schools who will help shape the new curriculum, and an Independent Advisory Group that will oversee progress.

  1. Tom Sheldrick

Curriculum overhaul expected to be given go-ahead

The Education Minister, Huw Lewis, is expected to confirm later that Wales will press ahead with a major shake-up of the school curriculum, as proposed by Prof Graham Donaldson in February.

The proposals include:

  • Making digital skills a key priority across all subjects
  • A less prescriptive curriculum - with teachers given more freedom around what to teach
  • Smoother transitions during different stages of education than the key stage we have currently
  • Broader areas for learning replacing individual subjects
  • External testing being kept to a minimum

Watch: February 2015 - proposals for radical overhaul of curriculum

Digital skills will join literacy and numeracy as key priorities. Credit: PA

The proposals are broadly similar to the curriculum model used in Scotland, and would likely take close to a decade to see fully implemented here.

The recommendations have been broadly welcomed, although there are fears they will create another period of upheaval for schools, teachers and pupils.

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