The National Curriculum - educationengland.org.uk

1 The National CurriculumHandbook for primary teachers in stages 1 and 2A>054-061 P Front cover FINAL 1/6/07 04:49 Page 3 Jointly published byDepartment for Educationand EmploymentSanctuary BuildingsGreat Smith StreetLondon SW1P 3 BTQualifications andCurriculum Authority29 Bolton StreetLondon W1Y 7 PDFirst published in 1999 Crown copyright 1999 Qualifications and Curriculum Authority 1999 The National Curriculum Programmes of Studyand Attainment Targets contained in thispublication are subject to Crown copyrightprotection and are reproduced with thepermission of the Controller of additional information is copyright ofthe Qualifications and Curriculum agreement between the Controller

2 OfHMSO and QCA reproduction of any of thematerial in this publication is permitted inaccordance with copyright guidance issuedby HMSO. This guidance is available onrequest from HMSO, St Clement s House,2 16 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1 BQTel 01603 621000 Fax 01603 723000or by e-mail on can also be viewed on HMSO s web siteat A>054-061 P Front cover FINAL 1/6/07 04:49 Page 4 The National CurriculumHandbook for primary teachers in EnglandKey stages 1 and 2B>054-061 P 00 Pref FINAL 1/6/07 05:30 Page 1 ForewordThe National Curriculum lies at the heart of our policies to raise sets out a clear, full and statutory entitlement to learning for all determines the content of what will be taught, and sets attainment targetsfor learning.

3 It also determines how performance will be assessed andreported. An effective National Curriculum therefore gives teachers, pupils,parents, employers and their wider community a clear and sharedunderstanding of the skills and knowledge that young people will gain at school. It allows schools to meet the individual learning needs of pupilsand to develop a distinctive character and ethos rooted in their localcommunities. And it provides a framework within which all partners in education can support young people on the road to further the National Curriculum right presents difficult choices and balances.

4 It must be robust enough to define and defend the core ofknowledge and cultural experience which is the entitlement of every pupil,and at the same time flexible enough to give teachers the scope to build theirteaching around it in ways which will enhance its delivery to their focus of this National Curriculum , together with the wider schoolcurriculum, is therefore to ensure that pupils develop from an early age theessential literacy and numeracy skills they need to learn; to provide themwith a guaranteed, full and rounded entitlement to learning; to foster theircreativity; and to give teachers discretion to find the best ways to inspire intheir pupils a joy and commitment to learning that will last a entitlement to learning must be an entitlement for all National Curriculum includes for the first time a detailed, overarchingstatement on inclusion which makes clear the principles schools mustfollow in their teaching right across the Curriculum , to ensure that allpupils have the chance to succeed, whatever their individual needs and the potential barriers to their learning may >054-061 P 00 Pref FINAL 1/6/07 05.

5 30 Page 3 Equality of opportunity is one of a broad set of common values andpurposes which underpin the school Curriculum and the work of also include a commitment to valuing ourselves, our families andother relationships, the wider groups to which we belong, the diversity inour society and the environment in which we live. Until now, ours was oneof the few National curricula not to have a statement of rationale setting outthe fundamental principles underlying the Curriculum . The handbooks forprimary and secondary teachers include for the first time such a is also the first National Curriculum in England to includecitizenship, from September 2002, as part of the statutory Curriculum forsecondary schools.

6 Education in citizenship and democracy will providecoherence in the way in which all pupils are helped to develop a fullunderstanding of their roles and responsibilities as citizens in a moderndemocracy. It will play an important role, alongside other aspects of thecurriculum and school life, in helping pupils to deal with difficult moraland social questions that arise in their lives and in society. The handbooksalso provide for the first time a National framework for the teaching ofpersonal, social and health education. Both elements reflect the fact thateducation is also about helping pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to live confident, healthy, independent lives,as individuals, parents, workers and members of Hon David BlunkettSir William StubbsSecretary of State for EducationChairman, Qualificationsand Employmentand Curriculum Authority4B>054-061 P 00 Pref FINAL 1/6/07 05:30 Page 4 This handbook.

7 Sets out the legal requirements of the NationalCurriculum in England for pupils aged five to 11 provides information to help teachers implementthe National Curriculum in their has been written for primary teachers. Parents,governors and all those with an interest in educationwill also find it National Curriculum for pupils aged 11 to 16 is set out in the handbook for secondary are also separate booklets for the 12 NationalCurriculum these publications and related materials can be found on the National Curriculum web site at this handbookB>054-061 P 00 Pref FINAL 1/6/07 05:30 Page 5 ContentsForeword3 About this handbook5 The school Curriculum and the National Curriculum .

8 Values, aims and purposesValues and purposes underpinning10the school curriculumAims for the school curriculum10 The National framework and the12purposes of the National CurriculumThe school Curriculum and the National Curriculum :about key stages 1 and 2 Where and when the National Curriculum applies16 The structure of the National Curriculum17 Other requirements19 Learning across the National Curriculum19 Building on the early learning goals23 Working with the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies23 The National Curriculum programmes of studyA common structure and design for all subjects26 General teaching requirementsInclusion.

9 Providing effective learning opportunities 30for all pupilsUse of language across the curriculum38 Use of information and communication technology 39across the curriculumHealth and safety406B>054-061 P 00 Pref FINAL 1/6/07 05:30 Page 6 Teaching requirements for each subjectEnglish42 Mathematics60 Science76 Design and technology90 Information and communication technology96 History102 Geography108 Art and design116 Music122 Physical education128 GuidelinesFramework for personal, social and health education136and citizenship at key stages 1 and 2 Guidelines for modern foreign languages at key stage 2142 Statement of values by the National Forum147for Values in Education and the CommunityThe National Curriculum attainment targetsback cover7B>054-061 P 00 Pref FINAL 1/6/07 05.

10 30 Page 78B>054-061 P 00 Pref FINAL 1/6/07 05:30 Page 8 The school Curriculum and the National Curriculum :values, aims and purposesB>054-061 P 00 Pref FINAL 1/6/07 05:30 Page 9 Values, aims and purposes10 The school Curriculum and the National Curriculum :values, aims and purposesThe school Curriculum comprises all learning and other experiences that eachschool plans for its pupils. The National Curriculum is an important element of the school and purposes underpinning the school curriculumEducation influences and reflects the values of society, and the kind of society we want to be.