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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. 

NAHT responds to call for evidence on PSHE and RSE

NAHT has responded to the Department for Education's call for evidence on 'Changes to the teaching of Sex and Relationship Education and PSHE' and you can read our submission here.

NAHT has long advocated statutory PSHE and age-appropriate sex and relationships education, for all pupils in all schools, to help prepare young people for the challenges they will encounter in their adult lives and the current challenges they face beyond the school gates.

NAHT welcomed the passing of the Children and Social Work Act earlier this year, introducing 'relationships education' in all primaries, and 'relationships and sex' education in all secondary schools from 2019, along with the potential to make PSHE education statutory in its entirety, pending consultation. But more progress is vital. 

NAHT is calling for PSHE Education to be made statutory, for all pupils, in all schools, to the same timescales as RSE. PSHE is the vehicle which will support the successful and effective delivery of RSE and make it work for schools and students as well as raise the status of the subject.

Our response to the call for evidence utilised the data from our survey in October on PSHE and RSE. You can read the report on the survey here.

 Our research showed that:

  • 91% of respondents believe PSHE should be taught in regular timetabled lessons in their school.
  • Just under half (49%) say that PSHE and RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) do not have the same status as other subjects but over 90% thought that they should.
  • Only 51% of respondents agreed that RSE in their school is taught by teachers who have had training in the subject.

 

NAHT will continue its campaigning work, engaging with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that PSHE Education is made statutory, for all pupils, in all schools, to the same timescales as RSE.

First published 19 February 2018
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