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Curriculum Development
The following articles, taken from recent issues of our Optimus newsletters, will prove invaluable for anyone with a professional or personal interest in Curriculum Development. To ensure you stay up-to-date with the very latest thinking in this area, please make use of the articles below. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, simply click on another category on the left or 'search the library'.
The road to a creative curriculum | Curriculum DevelopmentHave you taken ownership of your curriculum yet? David Morley examines how to break free, particularly with themed creative events Learning to learn: changing the curriculum | Curriculum DevelopmentStaff at the Grammar School for Girls, Wilmington, decided it was time for a change. Six months later there is a real sense of staff and students working together for the future. Chris Love describes how learning to learn was introduced to his school Creative thinking: a personal, learning and thinking skill | Curriculum DevelopmentIf the spirit of creativity were allowed to flower, could we cope? David Leat looks at the way that everyday constraints leave schools ill-equipped to teach creativity and the way that it can flourish when those constraints are removed Using the Institutional Quality Standards to improve G&T provision | Curriculum DevelopmentImproving your gifted and talented provision depends on being able to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses in your current approach. The Institutional Quality Standards (IQS) is a self-evaluation tool for doing just that, and supports the introduction of personalised education across the whole school, writes Deborah Eyre Innovative teaching of PE and sport | Curriculum DevelopmentAngela Youngman looks at some innovative ideas to get children moving Collaboration and unity: the rewards of 100% specialist status | Curriculum DevelopmentThe advantages of being part of a local authority where all schools have specialist status are enormous, as education writer Crispin Andrews found out when he spoke to headteachers in one of them – Plymouth Teaching religion: the duty to be impartial | Curriculum DevelopmentWhat are the legal restrictions on how we should teach religious studies in school? Guy Claxton's character curriculum for the learning age | Curriculum DevelopmentGuy Claxton invites debate on his eight character strengths and virtues for the learning age Centralisation and decentralisation of the curriculum | Curriculum DevelopmentDavid Leat considers a recent study comparing nine countries which shows that policy on teaching and curriculum tends to swing between centralisation and decentralisation The renewed Primary Framework and SEN | Curriculum DevelopmentSal McKeown looks at some of the implications of the renewed primary Framework for those working with children with special educational needs Opening minds: a competency based curriculum at Campion School | Curriculum DevelopmentHelen Boyle, AST and lead teacher for Opening Minds, Campion School, describes the school's successful development of a competency based curriculum with L2L at its heart Learning to learn: a competency based curriculum | Curriculum DevelopmentJackie Beere looks at how schools can help learners to become self motivated and independent The importance of reading in primary schools | Curriculum DevelopmentSteve Mynard, editor of Primary Headship, urges us to make reading our biggest priority Using a cascade approach to promote Philosophy for Children in schools | Curriculum DevelopmentPhilip Jenkins, a P6 teacher from Dunvant Primary School in Swansea, started using Philosophy for Children and became determined to get as many of his fellow teachers involved as possible Achieving strategic ICT delivery at Le Rocquier School, Jersey | Curriculum DevelopmentIn 2003, Le Rocquier school had no ICT strategy, no ICT replacement programme, no staff ICT training programme...but by 2007 that had all changed, and ICT is now integral to teaching and learning throughout the school, writes John McGuinness SLICT: how to integrate ICT in your school | Curriculum DevelopmentChris Comber from Leicester University offers curriculum managers exclusive insights into the findings, outlining key factors to integrate ICT throughout teaching and learning Renewed Primary Framework for Mathematics | Curriculum DevelopmentKath Donovan looks at the Renewed Primary Framework for Mathematics Renewed Primary Framework for Literacy | Curriculum DevelopmentSara Wernham looks at the Renewed Primary Framework for Literacy and discovers how it will affect teachers The learning journey for maths | Curriculum DevelopmentLorraine Barber, a numeracy adviser from Worcestershire, explains the importance of effective and exciting maths teaching Key concepts: the new secondary PE curriculum | Curriculum DevelopmentCrichton Casbon, curriculum adviser for PE at the QCA, explains the new PE curriculum changes to Penny Cottee Delivering dance in primary schools | Curriculum DevelopmentDance specialist and SSCo Kim Spiller offers advice to primary teachers about delivering high-quality dance Providing quality PE in primary schools | Curriculum DevelopmentCrispin Andrews talks to assistant headteacher Karen Collinswood about the role of school leadership in developing high-quality PE in primary schools Boxing comes back into schools | Curriculum DevelopmentTina Ryan explores the reinvention of boxing as a school sport Argument for a truly physical education | Curriculum DevelopmentAndrew Cushing argues the case for a new programme of physical education in schools The statutory requirements of the EYFS | Curriculum DevelopmentEarly Years Update highlights the key management issues contained in the EYFS Statutory Framework Effective governance and excellent leadership | Curriculum DevelopmentMo Laycock, Headteacher, Firth Park Community Arts College describes the effective model of governance which has contributed to three Ofsted results of 'outstanding' leadership at the school Engaging governance: teaching and learning involvement | Curriculum DevelopmentRather than see governors as a nuisance to be endured, schools instead should be working with them as an invaluable source of help and advice, argues Colleen Arnold of the National Governors Association Students have their say on learning | Curriculum DevelopmentA recent research review reveals exactly what pupils want from the curriculum Heads welcome flexibility of the new Key Stage 3 curriculum | Curriculum DevelopmentEducation writer and former head Gerald Haigh talks to Dr Keith Bothamley, deputy head (curriculum) at Horsforth School, and Richard Brown, principal of Minsthorpe Community College in Wakefield, about the new KS3 curriculum The Key Stage 3 review | Curriculum DevelopmentPrimary headteacher David Dixon applauds many of the changes that the Key Stage 3 review heralds, arguing that many of them will bring about practices already embedded in the best primary schools African-Caribbean views on slavery | Curriculum DevelopmentHistory can help young people to see the ‘big picture’ about enslavement, says E Kay Traille Case study: bringing about school improvement | Curriculum DevelopmentRoger Whittall, Headteacher, The Westwood School, Coventry explains the school improvement strategies that have raised attainment and standards at his school Creativity in the science curriculum | Curriculum DevelopmentMany of your teachers will not be science specialists. Angela Youngman has been looking at innovative approaches to the teaching of science that help encourage children’s inquisitiveness Key Stage 3 curriculum review | Curriculum DevelopmentBrian Rossiter, headteacher of Valley School, Worksop, North Nottinghamshire, offers his take on the KS3 curriculum review Shakespeare in the 21st century | Curriculum DevelopmentGeorghia Ellinas, Secondary National Strategy regional adviser, describes an initiative that allows pupils to enjoy a Shakespeare play in their own time and space Learning to love languages: resources for young linguists | Curriculum DevelopmentIn 2002 Gwen Goodhew was dismayed at the lack of resources she found for young linguists. Five years later, her research has revealed changes for the better. Case study: Restructuring the curriculum | Curriculum DevelopmentRestructuring the curriculum can enhance personalised learning, risk taking, creativity and Key Stage 3 and 4 results, as Mo Laycock, Headteacher, Firth Park Community Arts College, reports Education in the Commonwealth | Curriculum DevelopmentEmpowering young people throughout the Commonwealth to become active citizens is one of the goals of the Council for Education in the Commonwealth. Gertrude Shotte reports on its work Building partnerships to boost creativity | Curriculum DevelopmentIncorporating more creativity in your curriculum will take staff out of their comfort zones, but will pay dividends in raised motivation and achievement for students, writes Becky Swain Visions of social enterprise in Liverpool | Curriculum DevelopmentStudents in St Margaret's High School in Liverpool have designed and successfully marketed a computer game. David Dennison and Les Hankin report on a striking demonstration on economic wellbeing as a diver of school activity The challenge of modern foreign languages | Curriculum DevelopmentFollowing the publication of Lord Dearing’s recommendations Angela Youngman explores the implications of every KS2 child learning a modern foreign language Logovisual thinking | Curriculum DevelopmentSteve Paget explains how logovisual thinking (LVT) can stimulate higher-order thinking Welsh education reaches a new milestone | Curriculum DevelopmentThe National Assembly elections on May 3 2007 marked the completion of the second four-year term of devolved government in Wales. Allan Tait presents some of the key issues facing school governors in Wales Meeting the needs of gifted and talented 14-19 students | Curriculum DevelopmentCollaboration is growing in 14-19 G&T education. Sandra Howard and Lis Stock of the Gifted and Talented Education Unit at the DfES look at some recent developments Case study: implementing the International Baccalaureate | Curriculum DevelopmentA detailed look at how the IB has been launched in one school, by Rob Ford, Head of International Education and International Baccalaureate, The Ridings High School, Bristol Delivering the International Baccalaureate: a curriculum with a world identity | Curriculum DevelopmentAn outline of the content of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and what schools need to consider when deciding to apply to deliver the curriculum it offers. By Tristian Stobie High-quality environments for learning | Curriculum DevelopmentPractitioners need to consider the way that space and resources can be used to encourage children’s investigations. Pat Brunton and Linda Thornton explain Global citizenship in school | Curriculum DevelopmentAs the world in which we live comes closer together in some ways and further apart in many, Margaret Collins suggests ways in which we in schools can help to make it a better place Students as researchers: making a difference | Curriculum DevelopmentThe contribution of students as researchers (STARS) to students’ learning and to school development can have numerous benefits. David Lucas and Dr Margaret Wood recount their experience at Deptford Green secondary school How well is diversity promoted in the curriculum? | Curriculum DevelopmentDiversity and Citizenship in the Curriculum: Research Review is a recent DfES research briefing that looks at the way in which citizenship and diversity is taught across the curriculum. Sussing out the slave trade | Curriculum DevelopmentJulia Frankl argues that studying the abolition of slavery challenges discrimination What does 'my space' look like? | Curriculum DevelopmentDaniel Raven-Ellison shows how geographical thinking makes sense of the world World heritage - examining the threats | Curriculum DevelopmentAnjana Khatwa explores the implications of acquiring World Heritage Site status Music Manifesto - the state of play | Curriculum DevelopmentMike Rathbone reports on developments to make every child’s music matter Sustaining the desire to learn | Curriculum DevelopmentEmotional Literacy Update takes a look at the learning aims that the secondary curriculum review hopes to put at the centre of the KS3 and KS4 curriculum from autumn 2008. Community cohesion - will history help? | Curriculum Development‘Community cohesion’ is now a legal obligation on school governors and we must make the best of it, says Richard Bird, former headteacher and now legal consultant to the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL). He asks how teaching of history could contribute to this objective. Learning about identity through museums | Curriculum DevelopmentCeline West shows how head spanners and glass eyes can be used to unpack prejudice. Promoting peace in our time | Curriculum DevelopmentHeather Osborne describes how PSHE and performing arts can be used to promote peace education. Preventing meningitis in young people | Curriculum DevelopmentA new curriculum-based website to promote awareness of meningitis is outlined by Caroline Hill. Quality teaching and learning - one school's success | Curriculum DevelopmentNeil Hawkes outlines a values-based approach to school improvement. School visits abroad: invaluable to pupils and staff | Curriculum DevelopmentHeadteachers Anne Clarke and Annabelle Guyver analyse the benefits that trips abroad bring to participating pupils and to the staff leading them. Tackling the modern languages crisis | Curriculum DevelopmentAt the end of last year Sir Ron Dearing’s interim Languages Review was published. Headteacher Jim Donnelly looks at what he had to say and the suggestions for a way forward. Personalisation as a core principle | Curriculum DevelopmentHow can personalisation work in practice? Headteacher Paula Allen spoke to Bob Cox to explain how it’s done at Dorney Combined School. Changes to teaching and learning | Curriculum DevelopmentThe DfES, QCA and the National Strategies have got plans for changes to teaching and learning. Is this news? We have learned to live with change. Report shows way forward for curriculum development | Curriculum DevelopmentLearners tend to have a narrow view of the relevance of the curriculum and their enjoyment of it decreases across the key stages. These are two of the key findings of an NfER review of the research on pupils’ experiences of and perspectives on the curriculum published in the UK between 1989 and 2005. Creativity in the curriculum | Curriculum DevelopmentA school with creativity at the heart of the learning process will benefit by increasing the motivation of staff and pupils, says former head, Dave Weston. In this article and case study, he shows the way to more imaginative approaches to curriculum planning. Links for international understanding | Curriculum DevelopmentRichard Ennals looks at the ongoing work to bring internationalism into schools and colleges. Laying plans for better music provision | Curriculum DevelopmentA second report from the Music Manifesto group has recommended a series of steps to improve music education at maintained schools in England Strategic thinking for more able pupils | Curriculum DevelopmentHow can you help G&T pupils develop strategies for thinking about their work before rushing in? Peter Levin offers some solutions. Guiding students to make informed curriculum choices | Curriculum DevelopmentThe key change to the curriculum at Key Stage 4 has been to increase the breadth of choice. Alan Monks, Deputy Headteacher, describes the impact on Ellis Guilford School and Sports College, Nottingham. Making the right choices at 14 and 16 | Curriculum DevelopmentSarah Blenkinsop and Marian Morris examine young people’s decision-making patterns, the role their school plays, the skills they require and other influences on the choices they make at core points in their school career. Personalisation: what does it really mean? | Curriculum DevelopmentRichard Bird, former headteacher and now legal consultant to the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), looks at the different interpretations of personalised learning and what they might mean in practice. Bringing theatre to the early years | Curriculum DevelopmentPeter Wynne-Willson urges settings to bring live theatre to their children. On course for delivering Every Child Matters | Curriculum DevelopmentDr Barbara Spender, Freelance Writer and Researcher, with information supplied by Terry Smith, Assistant Headteacher, Ninestiles Secondary School, Acocks Green, Birmingham. Introducing Every Child Matters - routes through the curriculum | Curriculum DevelopmentDr Barbara Spender considers the key questions underpinning Every Child Matters implementation from first considerations about individual school priorities, through visibility in specific curriculum areas, to evaluation and measurement of success. Six-hat thinking | Curriculum DevelopmentG&T coordinator Peter Leyland explains how one Luton primary school has found that this thinking technique benefits everybody – students, more-able students and even staff. How schools are supporting sporting talent | Curriculum DevelopmentNeil Short reports on the result of a small survey into sports provision in schools. Thinking History: Questions, questions and more questions about questions! | Curriculum DevelopmentIf giftedness is expertise in development then gifted historians are, or should be, on the road to being masters of a discipline. But how do we identify and nurture gifted historians? Alison Rowan explains the role of NAGTY’s history think tank. Geography in the early years | Curriculum DevelopmentGeography can reward the inquisitiveness of young children, says Steve Mynard. Emerging mathematicians | Curriculum DevelopmentHelen Hann considers how we can support children and nurture their emerging mathematical concepts and understanding. Drama in the early years | Curriculum DevelopmentSteve Mynard looks at the place of drama in your setting and how existing practice can be enhanced. Parlez-vous Francais in your nursery? | Curriculum DevelopmentAngela Youngman finds out what is possible if you want to introduce a modern foreign language in your setting. Making sense of the world of mathematics | Curriculum DevelopmentDr Alison J Price of Oxford Brookes University explains why understanding the relationship between numbers, and the connections between calculations, is an important part of developing mathematical awareness, and how this can influence delivery of the curriculum. Making justice and care work together | Curriculum DevelopmentIn his regular column Dr Graham Haydon argues that when the principles of justice and care are combined a more beneficial outcome is likely to be achieved. Global leadership accountability: responsible challenges and netizenship | Curriculum DevelopmentIn a special feature which encourages informed and responsible ways of tackling abuses of power Dr Christopher Williams suggests that young people make use of new web resources. Global poverty as a citizenship issue | Curriculum DevelopmentDon Harrison describes three ways to explore issues of global poverty through a new resource from Save the Children. Teaching about taxation | Curriculum DevelopmentJacek Brant found that taxation was an unattractive subject for pupils. He describes the findings of his team’s research and a practical resource that was developed in response to it. Values, not tests, give education meaning | Curriculum DevelopmentJohn Potter says citizenship gives education meaning and purpose – and students seem to agree. Preparing for peace: the expert's view | Curriculum DevelopmentA new study guide by Quakers makes a valuable contribution to peace, finds Brian Walker. Floundering over fossils: protecting our geological heritage | Curriculum DevelopmentDr Anjana Khatwa and Richard Edmonds raise questions about fossil collecting and how to maintain environments for a sustainable future. The Foundling Museum: a PSHE and citizenship resource | Curriculum DevelopmentAlice Mayers describes a collaborative project between the Foundling Museum and the National Theatre. Making education for all a reality | Curriculum DevelopmentKaren Garvin of ActionAid explains how the My Friend Needs A Teacher initiative helps students learn that they have the power to make the world a better place. Why should we assess PSHE? | Curriculum DevelopmentLucy Marcovitch shows how progression and achievement in PSHE can be recognised, demonstrated and celebrated at all key stages. Post-16 education for more able pupils | Curriculum DevelopmentPost-16 education for G&T pupils is disjointed and ill-supported. Mike Bulmer explains what needs to change. Internationalism in 'theory' and 'practice' | Curriculum DevelopmentCynthia Jones argues that active internationalism is an essential part of CPD for citizenship. Able, gifted and talented days for linguists | Curriculum DevelopmentRuth Wilkes and Geoff Roberts describe a series of popular events in French and German. Scheme of Work for KS3 Citizenship – Chantry High School | Curriculum DevelopmentThis scheme of work has the theme of Rich World Poor World. Planning framework for citizenship education | Curriculum DevelopmentQuestions for whole-school change – A suggested planning framework for providing citizenship education with a global dimension. Benchmarks in global citizenship education | Curriculum DevelopmentGlobal citizenship benchmarks for secondary schools. Fair Trade at Hartford High School | Curriculum DevelopmentThis project focused on integrating Fair Trade purchasing throughout the school and raising pupil and staff awareness of global issues. A personalised curriculum | Curriculum DevelopmentHeadteacher Peter Kent and deputy Annabel Kay describe how introducing a condensed KS3 programme in their school has created the opportunity for personalised learning. Without geography, you are nowhere | Curriculum DevelopmentDr John Hopkin, chair of the Geographical Association’s Education Committee, looks at why geography has lost its status in the subject league tables and the ways in which it can be put back on the school map. Learning through links | Curriculum DevelopmentFormer head Dave Weston describes how links with a Finnish school paid dividends for his staff and pupils and led to further similar initiatives. Primary geography: is it falling off the map? | Curriculum DevelopmentGeography is the poor Cinderella of the primary curriculum. Where did it all go wrong and what can be done about it? Paula Richardson, education adviser and chair of the publications board of the Geographical Association, makes some suggestions. Valuing and developing creativity | Curriculum DevelopmentFormer head Roger Smith looks at ways of promoting creativity in schools, arguing that the concept needs to have its place at the centre of the curriculum. A sporting chance | Curriculum DevelopmentNeil Short, education consultant and former head, looks at how schools are facing up to the challenge of supporting and developing sporting talent among young pupils. Trading for a fairer world at Notre Dame High School | Curriculum DevelopmentThe aim of this project was, 'for students to understand the effect of global economics on countries with significant debt'. Specifically, how consumer pressure can ease the burden on developing nations. Citizenship education and curriculum planning – Norfolk LEA | Curriculum DevelopmentCitizenship education is being integrated into curriculum planning across the UK. The following 'steps to success' come from Norfolk LEA, which worked with Norfolk and Suffolk schools on the Developing Citizenship project. Cross-curricular global awareness – NEAD | Curriculum DevelopmentThis project has shown how some 'blockages' to greater global awareness in schools can be unblocked. The challenge now is to share and learn from our experiences. By Sandy Betlem, NEAD. Global Citizenship across the curriculum at Chantry High School | Curriculum DevelopmentOur theme was 'Rich World, Poor World'. How do we open the eyes of children to equality issues? Eco-school project at Kirkley High School | Curriculum DevelopmentThis project supports the National Framework for PSHE and the National Healthy School Standard, as well as supporting the development of Citizenship throughout the school with some 1400 pupils. Global Citizenship Days at Benjamin Britten High School | Curriculum DevelopmentOur Global Citizenship days are off-timetable events with a mixture of quizzes, activities, video, and seminars. They are designed to cater for approximately half a year group at a time (110 students). The Trading Game – human rights workshop at Diss High School | Curriculum DevelopmentThe Trading Game is part of a proactive approach towards Citizenship, including a new Citizenship department and a Human Rights group. Multi-cultural Arts Day at Congleton High School | Curriculum DevelopmentOur multi-cultural arts day was aimed at Year 7 students and was one of a programme of stop days around global citizenship in our school. Student voice at Whalley Range High School | Curriculum DevelopmentMany schools would say their students have a voice, but do they really? What about at Whalley Range? How can citizenship update geography? | Curriculum DevelopmentKato Cruwys Harris explains how teachers can make geography more relevant to society and young people, by incorporating citizenship. Focus on charitable trusts | Curriculum DevelopmentCharitable trusts give more than £350m to education annually. Louise Germaney looks at some of the biggest grant-giving foundations. Teaching the teachers: opening minds curriculum | Curriculum DevelopmentLeslie Spencer takes us on her learning journey, inspiring learners to love learning. Are you prepared to have your preconceptions, philosophies and pedagogy challenged? A teacher's tale of the 'Opening Minds' curriculum. ASE award for science teachers | Curriculum DevelopmentThe Association for Science Education (ASE), in collaboration with the Science Council, offers a professional qualification for science education professionals. Success with secondary history: overcoming the challenges | Curriculum DevelopmentTim Lomas, principal adviser, CfBT/Lincolnshire School Improvement Service, looks at ways of continuing to improve the profile and teaching of history in schools. Enterprise education: boldly going where no curriculum has been before | Curriculum DevelopmentEnterprise education has entered the Ofsted schedule as a subject to be inspected in all schools. But do you know exactly what it involves? Opening Minds: changing attitudes to how learning is structured | Curriculum DevelopmentStudents are responding positively to the RSA’s Opening Minds initiative with improvements in motivation, confidence and attitudes. Teachers are also reaping the benefits. RSA Head of Education Lesley James brings you up to date with developments and new resources. Seven year schedule for full implementation of secondary reform | Curriculum DevelopmentAn implementation plan for the government’s reform of 14-19 education has been published. Letting the genie out of the bottle | Curriculum DevelopmentSince 2001, when in the words of our Head Teacher, Patrick Hazlewood, we were to '...throw out the National Curriculum...', our school has focussed on discovering how we might best serve our students in order to make them independent, adaptable and confident learners able to meet the demands of the 21st century. The value of Latin in the curriculum | Curriculum DevelopmentLatin is a highly valued part of the curriculum at Benton Park School. Principal Anne Clarke explains why. Reviving Latin in the classroom | Curriculum DevelopmentWith around 95% of state schools no longer offering Latin, access is the critical issue for survival of the subject. Will Griffiths, director of the Cambridge School Classics Project (CSCP), looks at a DfES initiative to address this and highlights the competitive advantage that offering Latin can give schools. Participation in sport on the increase | Curriculum DevelopmentSchool sport partnerships are continuing to be successful in increasing the amount of time pupils spend taking part in PE and sport. Most Related:
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