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The anticipate review of the National Curriculum was submitted on Monday (19th December 2011), see https://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/nationalcurriculum authored by Tim Oates (Chair of the Expert Panel), Professor Mary James, Professor Andrew Pollard, and Professor Dylan Wiliam. With quite a bit of debate emerging on twitter, this #ukedchat session focused on the content, and main points from the review. Requests were made to Andrew Pollard & Jim Knight to attend the session, which they duly accepted. The main points from the review were mainly welcomed:

#ukedchat #natcur makes interesting reading being an ICT teacher.I do agree though in most of the recomendations!
— claire gowland (@clairegowland) December 22, 2011

However, there were some questions which resonated throughout the discussion, such as:

#ukedchat how would removing the structure from a subject based curriculum effect learning? Do some ch rely on a structure?
— Night Zookeeper (@nightzookeeper) December 22, 2011

@gsussex Maybe that is the plan. Maybe inclusion in classrooms as we know it (and it’s not always great now) will be pushed aside #ukedchat
— Bev Evans (@bevevans22) December 22, 2011

@ethinking is there a case for stopping GCSE’s at 16s to free up 14-19 for more relevant learning choices #ukedchat
— Jim Knight (@jimpknight) December 22, 2011

Still not convinced about putting ICT in as a basic subject. Where is the consistency in teaching? #natcur #ukedchat
— Chris Ratcliffe (@chrisrat) December 22, 2011

With opinions and thoughts being forthcoming:

#ukedchat I am concerned splitting KS2 into 2 x 2 years may restrict what is taught when/give less flexibility
— Gill Sussex (@gsussex) December 22, 2011

@mattbritland @alecwaters It’s almost saying ICT & D&T is not as important as Art, MFL & Humanities. Upsetting as an ICT teacher. #ukedchat
— Ben Dunford (@Bdunford) December 22, 2011

#ukedchat is #natcur fit for purpose? Sadly more 19thC than 21stC. Lack of ambition very sad and impoverished compared to QCA big picture!
— DrSpenny (@DrSpenny) December 22, 2011

#ukedchat what’s the point of a #natcurif the academies and free schools are not compelled to follow it?
— Pete Yeomans (@ethinking) December 22, 2011

#ukedchat teaching the children should always be more important than the curriculum. Teach them what they need to make progress.
— A Bolton Deputy (@Educationchat) December 22, 2011

The question of the relevance of the a renewed National Curriculum was raised, as academies will not be forced to follow such a curriculum, although questions were raised that under such a new directive whether the requirement would be placed on these institutions, mainly secondary schools. There were a couple of strands throughout the early parts of the discussion focusing on the impact the review could have on inclusion, as well as the status ICT is given…both of these topics caused concern amongst educators across all phases. The political nature of education was also raised:

There’s no point in having a ‘National’ curriculum while education is so politicised. Take the ideology out of learning #ukedchat
— David Doherty (@dockers_hoops) December 22, 2011

Get frustrated with this constant comparison with the rest of the world. We should do what’s best for our children in our society #ukedchat
— LittleMissPip (@Teaching_LMP) December 22, 2011

There were some interesting comments regarding Assessment:

@DrSpenny Reducing extent of centralised requirements was a main aim of review to enable professional teacher judgement. #ukedchat
— Andrew Pollard (@AndrewPollard7) December 22, 2011

@HilaryNunns @jimpknight #ukedchat Exams aren’t perfect, but provide a minimum. Without them you get lessons in knitting your own yoghurt.
— Andrew Old (@oldandrewuk) December 22, 2011

Can’t see this happening, “abandoning the system in which children’s attainment is judged by ‘levels’.” #ukedchat Huge culture change needed
— ICTWitz (@ICTwitz) December 22, 2011

@reallara @ethinking I just keep looking to the Finland model. Best in world. No #natcur , no Ofsted, no exams until 18. #ukedchat
— Ross Morrison McGill (@TeacherToolkit) December 22, 2011

“@philallman1: As I say to parents. ‘I’ve yet to hear of any1 being asked at interview what they got in their KS2 SATs’ #ukedchat”
— Gill Sussex (@gsussex) December 22, 2011

…and in concluding thoughts:

#ukedchat I am pleased timing in now Sept 2014 as it gives time for further reflection & sharing of views
— Gill Sussex (@gsussex) December 22, 2011

Need 2 b clear on status of #natcur rpt 2 generate debate.Acceptance/rejection later by govt.Tchrs/stakehldrs must engage now. #ukedchat
— Andrew Pollard (@AndrewPollard7) December 22, 2011

Professional associations like @The_UKLA are so important when trying to influence policy but teachers need a greater voice too #ukedchat
— Martin Waller (@MultiMartin) December 22, 2011

Why is intergenerational learning not discussed in the NC review – use PEOPLE not systems – with ICT or not – #ukedchat
— Leon Cych (@eyebeams) December 22, 2011

This is only a summary of some of the tweets, comments and themes that came throughout the session. More tweets cannot be embedded into this summary as they came from protected accounts. To read the full archive from the session, please visit the link below: Ukedchat 22 Dec 2011 https://www.scribd.com/embeds/76336509/content?start_page=1&view_mode=list&access_key=key-2o0scoy2a8u7n8ajg4a6

Links Shared During the Session: