Northern Ireland Curriculum
The National Curriculum of Northern Ireland identifies the minimum requirements of skills for each subject and the range of contexts, opportunities and activities through which these skills should be developed and applied.[1]
History
Before 1988 schools had total autonomy and teachers divised the curriculum best suited to the needs of their pupils. Margaret Thatcher imposed the first 'common curriculum' for three of the four nations. Teachers opposed this prescriptive move. The first curriculum review took place in 1998–1999 in England and 2000–2004 in Northern Ireland. A further review happened in North Ireland in 2010. [2]
Structure of the national curriculum[3]
Foundation Stage
Language and Literacy
- Talking and Listening
- Reading
- Writing
Mathematics and Numeracy
- Number
- Measures
Shape and Space
- Sorting
- Patterns and Relationships
The Arts
- Art and design
- Music
- Drama
The World Around Us
- The World Around Us
Personal Development and Mutual Understanding
- Personal Understanding and Health
- Mutual Understanding in the Local and Wider Community
Physical Development and Movement
- Physical Development and Movement
Areas of learning and skills
- Areas of learning
- Language and Literacy
- Mathematics and Numeracy
- Modern Languages
- The Arts
- Environment and Society
- Science and Technology
- Learning for Life and Work
- Physical Education
- Cross-Curricular Skills
- Communication
- Using ICT
- Using Mathematics
- Other Skills
- Problem Solving
- Working with others
- Self-Management
Key stage 3
Key Stage 3 students are 11-14 year olds (Years 8, 9, and Year 10 in the Northern Ireland system). This is the first post-primary keystage. [5]
Key stage 4 - Entitlement Framework
"Every school must offer at least 24 courses at Key Stage 4, and 27 in the post-16 category. In addition, at least one third of the courses offered must be general and one third applied; that is the minimum figure", said Peter Wier. [6] This was subsequently reduced to 21- of which one-third must be general courses, and one third applied courses. All secondary schools in Northern Ireland are in Area Learning Communities (ALC) where they are encouraged to co-operate, and deliver 'shared education'.[7] To fulfill the required 21 courses a school is encouraged run a joint course with a neighbouring school and extra funding is available to help them do so.[8]
Key Stage 4 students are 14-16 year olds (Year 11 and Year 12 in the Northern Ireland system). These students will study for GCSEs or an equivalent. Schools offer GCSE courses that map to the areas of learning- to provide a balanced offer. [citation needed]
References
- ^ "Northern Ireland Curriculum » Homepage". Archived from the original on 2013-06-01. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
- ^ Colwill, Ian; Gallagher, Carmel. "Developing a curriculum for the twenty-first century: the experiences of England and Northern Ireland". PROSPECTS. pp. 411–425. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ "The Education (Curriculum Minimum Content) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007" (PDF).
- ^ "Your Child's Choice - information leaflet | Department of Education". Education. 16 June 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
- ^ "The Statutory Curriculum at Key Stage 3" (PDF). ccea.org.uk. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
- ^ "Entitlement Framework". TheyWorkForYou.
- ^ "Sharing works - a policy for shared education | Department of Education". Education. 1 October 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
- ^ "Delivering the Entitlement Framework - Guidance to Schools -Circular 201920" (PDF). www.education-ni.gov.uk/. Retrieved 3 August 2021.