Curriculum

The new Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum introduced in draft by the DfES in 2006 provides guidance for early education and learning and is the first stage of the National Curriculum. It focuses on the distinct needs of children aged 0 to 5, or the end of the reception year, in primary schools. The Early Years Foundation Stage provides an outline for practitioners working across this age range in, for example pre-schools, Children's Centres, childminder networks, nursery and reception classes and private day nurseries.

The school curriculum comprises all learning and other experiences that each school provides for its pupils. The National Curriculum is an important element of the school curriculum.

There are 4 main purposes of the National Curriculum:

• to establish an entitlement;
• to establish standards;
• to promote continuity and coherence;
• to promote public understanding.

The National Curriculum caters for four key stages within a pupil's life:

• Key Stage 1: age 5 - 7
• Key Stage 2: age 7 - 11
• Key Stage 3: age 11 - 14
• Key Stage 4: age 14 - 16

Barnsley's 11 - 19 Action Plan outlines the curriculum entitlement for all secondary age young people and presents a coherent strategy for developing education and training for the 14 - 19 age group.

The 11 - 19 Action Plan describes a wide range of learning routes for young people including academic, vocational and work-based learning pathways and combinations of all three such as the Young Apprenticeship Scheme. The Learner Entitlement which all Barnsley schools and training providers have signed up to will ensure that young people have 'opportunities for interesting, challenging and enjoyable learning which suits their needs'. Schools, colleges and other training providers are working collaboratively to provide a wide range of accredited programmes for the 14 - 19 group including GCSEs, GNVQs, BTec, functional maths, English and ICT, personal development and citizenship.

Information about the National Curriculum is available from the QCA website. The Barnsley 11-19 Action Plan and Strategy is available on the Barnsley website. Information about the curriculum in Barnsley schools is available from the websites for individual schools.

Useful contacts:

Learning Services
Longcar Professional Development Centre
Telephone: 01226 281961
Email: LongcarPDC@barnsley.gov.uk

Office hours 8.30 am - 5.00 pm Monday  Thursday
8.30 am - 4.30 pm Friday
Answering service available.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
83 Piccadilly
LondonW1J 8QA
Tel: 020 7509 5555

Useful websites

Department for Children, Schools and Families
Ofsted
National College for School Leadership
NationalCurriculum for England
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority