Leading the debate on raising standards

Our willingness to work alongside schools and colleges and to collaborate with other system leaders has seen a repositioning of the curriculum as a key driver for raised standards and improved outcomes for learners. Parents, pupils, employers, faith groups, higher education and other key stakeholders are actively engaged with us in curriculum transformation. QCA is committed to developing a modern, world-class curriculum that inspires and challenges all learners and prepares them for the future.

Structured conversations have revealed a broad consensus on the purposes, values and aims for the curriculum. QCA needs to balance the quest for knowledge, understanding, skills and personal development within a curriculum that includes events, daily routines and out-of-school activity, as well as lessons. A bigger picture of curriculum addresses the three fundamental questions about learning. What are we trying to achieve? How should we best organise learning? How do we know if we are succeeding? It ensures that the curriculum has a positive impact, both on the individual and on national priorities in education, social and employment policies.

Work to create a curriculum for the future is moving from concern about content towards enabling schools to design and build a curriculum that will be most effective for their learners. This has meant supporting schools and colleges to develop local interpretations of the curriculum within clear national parameters.

The future is challenging: can we build on recent progress and capitalise on the willingness in the system to see rejuvenation and modernisation? If we want to see a nation that improves its economic position, improves the life chances of its people and achieves social cohesion, we must.

- Mick Waters, Director of Curriculum