Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services to provide an analysis of the significance of a high quality curriculum.

Members received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services on the significance of a high quality curriculum. Members were told that the National Curriculum programme of study had recently been slim lined and made more challenging with a focus on what the government views as essential subject knowledge.

Further to this the Panel received a reminder of the statutory assessment reforms for KS1 and KS2, alongside the new, staggered GCSE reform.

A conversation in relation to the role of the Curriculum took place considering the desired outcomes for learners in Hampshire and the need to retain teachers. The role of Head teachers in leading the curriculum was also discussed.

In response to questions members found that;

• The National Curriculum is covered in Governor training.
• The current National Curriculum has been developed following a study of a high number of high performing areas internationally.
• The School determines their own curriculum, which includes the National Curriculum.
• OFSTED are aware of the effect of inspections on school curriculum and will recognise those schools that are in the process of a curriculum change.
• Finance and resources are providing more difficulties for this area.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services to provide an analysis of the significance of a high quality curriculum.

In order to give this item the time that it required the Panel resolved to defer this item to the next meeting.