"Inevitably, Conservatives have leapt on recommendations by an independent review, commissioned by the government, as proof that Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, is dumbing down the curriculum. The basis of these charges is that the review, led by Becky Francis, professor of education at University College London, proposes reducing the burden of GCSE exams and scrapping the English baccalaureate a cluster of subjects that, when taken together, constitute a metric of success recognised in school league tables."
"That is a selective reading of a wide-ranging review that calls for a more rigorous science curriculum and new tests to catch children whose progress slips between primary school and GCSE. Opposition attacks are premature when the government has not yet drafted any legislation. A unifying theme of the review is that the current system prioritises narrow metrics of attainment at the expense of other qualities."
Societies and schools must adapt while resisting perennial criticisms that modernisation dilutes standards. Conservatives have attacked recommendations that propose reducing GCSE burdens and scrapping the English baccalaureate, and object to teaching primary children about the climate crisis and valuing diversity. The review recommends a more rigorous science curriculum, new tests to catch children whose progress slips between primary and GCSE, and greater teacher autonomy. It urges space for practical life skills like managing personal finances and discerning trustworthy information, and for creativity and resilience. Deeper retention problems stem from stagnant pay, poor behaviour and increased social-work duties for teachers.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]