The Cambridge Primary Review's latest report, which was compiled from hundreds of written submissions, meetings and surveys of published research, found that many teachers were concerned about a 'collision' between the EYFS and the primary curriculum, particularly during reception year.
It says many local authorities, teacher trainers and children's organisations see the EYFS as a model that could be applied to primary education, particularly at KS1.
The report argues that primary schools are focusing too much on numeracy, literacy and testing, and that arts, humanities and science subjects are being compromised by the 'standards agenda'. It adds that the current curriculum values memorising and recalling facts over understanding and enquiry.
Professor Robin Alexander (pictured), who directed the Cambridge Review, said, 'We need to move from our view of standards as just about numeracy and literacy. Breadth and standards are not incompatible. There is an assumption that you improve the basics by only doing the basics. However, two Ofsted reports, published in 1997 and 2001, showed that schools that had developed a broad and balanced curriculum also did better in the basics.'
The review proposes a primary framework made up of 12 educational aims, divided into three groups:
- The needs and capacities of the individual - well-being, engagement, empowerment and autonomy
- The individual in relation to others and the wider world - encouraging respect and reciprocity, promoting independence and sustainability, empowering local, national and global citizenship, celebrating culture and community
- Learning, knowing and doing, exploring and making sense, fostering skill, exciting the imagination, enacting dialogue.
These aims would be achieved through eight 'domains' - arts and creativity, citizenship and ethics, faith and belief, language, oracy and literacy, mathematics, physical and emotional health, place and time, and science and technology.
In December a Government-backed interim review of primary education by Sir Jim Rose proposed a primary curriculum based on six areas of learning (News, 8 December), and a consultation on it closes this week. However, the Cambridge Review highlights concerns that the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) was due to develop draft programmes of study for the six areas of learning by the end of 2008, 'making redundant' all submissions received in January and February.
Professor Alexander says, 'What about those who want to question the fundamental model of the primary curriculum and not the detail? Their comments will not make any difference because the framework will be fixed. We hope the Government will listen but have not been given much cause for optimism.'
The Cambridge Review will issue its final report later in 2009.
Further information: www.primaryreview.org.uk
