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Curriculum, assessment and qualifications

 
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NAHT is working to ensure that the curriculum supports the learning, progress and success of all pupils. NAHT supports the principle that a broad and balanced curriculum promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils and prepares pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.

NAHT is campaigning to: 

Support schools to provide a broad and balanced curriculum for their pupils

  • Challenge the government policy, including EBacc, which may narrow the curriculum
  • Enable and support schools to successfully deliver statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education
  • Lobby for improvements to government policy which supports schools to deliver inclusive education and fulfil their responsibilities under the public sector equality duty
  • Support schools to deliver effective careers education for all pupils
  • Support schools to deliver high-quality Religious Education to all pupils
  • Provide guidance, materials and information to support schools in educating pupils about environmental issues.

Ensure a valid and proportionate approach to statutory assessment in primary schools

  • Lobby the government to reconsider the introduction of the multiplication tables check
  • Lobby the government to ensure changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage and Early Learning Goals are appropriate and relevant for the early years sector
  • Influence the development and implementation of the reception baseline assessment
  • Support members to implement the new statutory assessment for pupils with SEND
  • Identify and challenge the STA over any impact on members of the contract change to deliver statutory assessment in the primary phase
  • Engage with the STA to influence changes and improvements to statutory assessment including moderation and maladministration
  • Campaign for KS2 SPAG to be made non-statutory and oppose any additional statutory testing in the primary phase
 

Ensure the KS4 and KS5 qualification framework and examination system is fit for purpose

  • Press the government, Ofqual and exam boards to ensure that reformed qualifications, both academic and vocational, meet the needs of all pupils and schools
  • Explore the issue of grade reliability, identifying solutions and improvements which are supported by members and pressing the government and Ofqual for appropriate action
  • Inform members of the latest developments in secondary assessment through engagement with Ofqual, JCQ and awarding organisations. 

T Levels

What subjects are available?

The first three T Levels began at selected sites in September 2020 and were courses in:

  • Digital production, design and development
  • Design, surveying and planning
  • Education

Further T Level qualifications are set to begin in September 2021 in:

  • Building services engineering for construction
  • Digital business services
  • Digital support services
  • Health
  • Healthcare science
  • Onsite construction
  • Science

The technical qualifications for the above seven T Levels have now been approved by the Institute of Apprenticeships and accredited by Ofqual for teaching from September 2021. You can find more information here.

Structure and certification

T Level students spend 80% of the course in the classroom, learning the skills that employers need. The other 20% is an industry placement in which these skills are put into action. Through this, the courses include, as compulsory:

  • A technical qualification, incorporating:
    • Core theory, concepts and skills for an industry area
    • Specialist skills and knowledge for an occupation or career
  • An industry placement with an employer
  • A minimum standard in maths and English, if students have not already achieved them.

Students who complete their T Level will receive an overall grade of pass, merit, distinction or distinction*. More information on grading and certification can be found here, including information on the comparability of T Levels and A Levels in UCAS tariff points.

What funding will be available?

Additional funding is required for schools to successfully introduce and deliver T Levels. The government has set out details of how T levels will be funded here. They have also announced a third round of T Level capital funding of £135m, details of which and application forms can be found here.​

First published 17 February 2021
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