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	Consultation on proposed changes to key stage 4

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Consultation on proposed changes to key stage 4

Consultation

In January 2003 the government set out in 14-19: opportunity and excellence its vision for a 14-19 phase with a coherent and motivating curriculum that puts the needs of students at the centre. Part of that vision was to create greater flexibility in the key stage 4 curriculum.

In April 2003, QCA provided the Minister of State for School Standards with advice on how statutory changes to the key stage 4 curriculum might be implemented. The proposals concerned:

changes to the science programme of study at key stage 4
greater development of ICT skills through other subjects and additional ways to accredit the ICT capability of students who do not follow a discrete ICT course.
introducing a statutory requirement for work-related learning
the creation of new entitlement areas – the arts, design and technology, the humanities and modern foreign languages – in which schools would be required to offer courses to all students
a further set of disapplication regulations
curriculum areas in which schools would benefit from additional guidance.

In May 2003, the Minister of State for School Standards asked QCA to carry out a formal consultation on the proposals. The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) conducted the consultation on behalf of QCA between May and July 2003.

NFER’s full report, which includes the consultation sample, the methodology used and the key findings can be downloaded below.

Also see

> QCA advice on changes to the key stage 4 curriculum

QCA Online Shop publication

> Changes to the key stage 4 curriculum: guidance for implementation from September 2004 (QCA ref: QCA/03/1167)
> Work-related learning for all at key stage 4: guidance for implementing the statutory requirement from 2004 (QCA ref: QCA/03/1168)

Documents to download

> Report on consultation on proposed changes to the KS4 curriculum May - July 2003 (004039240 1 FINAL CSC)
> Questionnaire from consultation on proposed changes to the KS4 curriculum May - July 2003
> Appendix 2 The telephone interview schedule
> Appendix 3 Contributors to the consultation
> Appendix 4 School responses to the questionnaire

QCA web links

> DfES: 14-19: opportunity and excellence