One of the most important changes in education brought about by the Education Reform Act 1988 is the introduction of a National Curriculum for children aged 5 to 16 in all state schools in England and Wales.
At Key Stages 1 and 2 the National Curriculum consists of ten subjects which all pupils study at school.
These. are:
English, Design & Technology (D&T), Music, Mathematics, History, Art, Science, Geography, Physical Education (PE), Information Communication Technology (ICT).
In addition, schools' must also offer Religious Education and provide daily collective worship.
English, Mathematics, Science & ICT , which support pupils studies in other subjects, are known as the "core subjects". D&T, History, Geography, Music, Art and PE are "foundation subjects". For each subject there are goals setting out what children should know and be able to do at each stage of their schooling. These goals are called "attainment targets". There are also descriptions of what children should be taught to help them achieve the attainment targets. These are called "programmes of study".
At the ages of 7, 11, 14 and 16, there will be "assessment" of how children are doing compared with the attainment targets. This will show where they need extra help and where they are doing well.
There are four stages for different age groups known as "key stages"- two in the primary and two in the secondary school. These help parents to know what their children should be learning at various stages.
They are:
Key Stage 1 = 5-7years,
Key Stage 2 = 7-11 years,
Key Stage 3 = 11-14 years,
Key Stage 4 = 14-16 years.
At the ages of 7, 11 and 14 there is an assessment of individual pupils' progress against attainment targets. These assessments are known as "end of key stage tests" and show where a pupils may be performing particularly well or, conversely, may need extra help. Also at the end of KS1 and KS2, teacher assessments are made based on classwork completed during Y2 and Y6.
In addition, at Little Eaton Primary School staff would aim to help all pupils to:
(a) develop lively, enquiring minds, the ability to question, to argue rationally and to apply themselves to tasks; (b) to acquire and to apply knowledge, skills and practical abilities relevant to the needs of adult life;
(c) to acquire a reasoned set of attitudes, values and beliefs including a respect for and understanding of other people's religious and moral values and ways of life;
(d) to acquire an understanding of the social, economic and political order of the world and of the interdependence of individuals, groups and nations;
(e) to appreciate human achievement in art, music, drama, dance, textiles, science, technology, physical pursuits, and literature; and to experience a sense of personal achievement in some of those fields;
(f) to develop a sense of self‑respect, the capacity to live full lives as independent self‑motivated adults with the will to contribute to the welfare of others and society;
(g) to appreciate and to develop, a caring and responsible attitude to the environment. |