So there is a proposal for a slimmed down National Curriculum here in England? So how slim is slim and what do you remove? We are I suspect all in favour of simplicity and ease of access but less so of dumbing down? What will be the basis of the changes? We could, for example, remove much of the content and focus very much on what we have come to call Science One - Exploration and Investigation of Science. If primary science is about enthusing and engaging young people in the fascinating world around them, what better way? I understand this has been the approach in countries around the world without diasterous results. Perhaps all of this is dependent on what you aims are? Do you want engaged citizens? or studnets who can pass an exam? Do we want informed consumers and other inspired to make a contribution to science and the world? or compliant individuals who don't appreciate the need to question?
We need to look at any curriculum with the same challenging eyes of the pupil who asks why? but why? The last National Curriculum was a product of those who wrote it and their ideas of what was a world view, the next no doubt will be the same. As ever we need those professional challenging eyes to take it and form it into a digestable whole. Lets hope the years of increasing control from the centre are over and that teachers are given some real space to teach.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/oct/03/england-curriculum-review-debate-controversy
primary
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