On 20 January the Secretary of State launched a review of the National Curriculum for 5-16 year olds in England. Parents, teachers and others have been invited to respond to a Call for Evidence, which will be used to inform the work of the review

The Government believes that the current National Curriculum has moved away from its original purpose, to set out what all children should be taught in key subjects and that recent changes, such as the inclusion of skills development and the promotion of generic dispositions, have distorted the core function of the National Curriculum and diluted the importance of subject knowledge.

The Call for Evidence therefore asks for views on:

• the key strengths of the current National Curriculum and what could be done to improve it;
• ways in which the National Curriculum could be slimmed down;
• views on whether the allocation of lesson time should be specified;
• views on the essential knowledge that pupils need for English, mathematics, physical education and science (the new “core” subjects);
• for all other subjects that are currently part of the National Curriculum, whether or not they should remain National Curriculum subjects and if so at which key stages;
• whether there are credible alternatives to the attainment targets that would better support and recognise all pupils' progress; and
• what can be learned from other countries.
  

The intention is that the new National Curriculum for English, mathematics, science and physical education will be prepared and available to schools by September 2012 and maintained schools will be required to teach it from September 2013. The new National Curriculum for other subjects will be prepared and available to schools by September 2013, with maintained schools required to teach it from September 2014.

The NUT is encouraging all members to contribute to the Call for Evidence, by drawing on their practical experience and expertise to ensure that reforms of the National Curriculum are in the best interests of students, schools and wider society. You can either email your thoughts to curriculum@nut.org.uk to feed in to the NUT’s national response to the Call for Evidence, or by participating directly in the Review – see http://www.education.gov.uk/consultations for details.

Don’t lose the chance of having your say on the future of the National Curriculum.