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Privacy and cookiesJobsDatingOffersLog inRegisterSubscribeSearchTuesday 22 July 2014HomePoliticsNews WorldSportInv estigationsUniv ersity EducationFinanceObitsClearingCommentEducationCult ureEarthTravelScienceUniv ersity Course FinderLifeWomenDefenceHealthStudent LifePrimaryFashionScotlandLuxuryRoy alSecondaryTechCars VideoCelebritiesWeirdSchool League TablesEx patHOME » EDUCATION » EDUCATION NEWSLeading academic criticises 'Victorian'-style curriculumChildren risk missing out on the arts, humanities and sport at primary school because ofa “neo-Victorian” focus on the three-Rs, according to one of the country’s leadingexperts on early education.University A-Zs»Univ ersitiesDegree SubjectsMalaysia Airlines Crash Latest Video»open in browser PRO versionAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF APIpdfcrowd.com
Prof Robin Alexander criticised the new National Curriculum, saying it placed too much emphasis on the three-Rs. Photo: PARebels hand ov erMH1 7 black box esPrince George's firstbirthday scrapbookJapanese bar usessleeping drunks asbillboardsThe day I got aV ampire FacialStunning timelapse ofEast Sussex stormApple v s Google: thebattle to take ov ery our carBy Graem e Paton, Education Editor2:34PM BST 24 Sep 2013Share119Facebook25175 CommentsA new National Curriculum introduced by the Coalition will narrow pupils’horizons by failing to give them the “knowledge, skills and experience”needed in all subjects, it was claimed.Tw itterRobin Alexander, fellow of Wolfson College, Cambridge, and professor ofeducation at York University, said that literacy and numeracy provided avital foundation for children’s future lives.LinkedInBut speaking in central London, he insisted the revised curriculum forunder-11s – to be introduced next year – overemphasised theirimportance at the expense of other core disciplines, suggesting the artsand humanities were being “left to chance”.Prof Alexander also criticised the Government’s drive to make youngchildren “secondary ready”, insisting that primary education was animportant stage in its own right and should not be seen as a merestepping stone towards secondary school.It represents his most high-profile comments since the publication of thelandmark Cambridge Primary Review in 2009 – a 600-page report editedby Prof Alexander following a six-year inquiry into the state of primaryeducation in England.Related Articlesopen in browser PRO versionAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API94Email02Educat ion NewsNews » UK News »Prim ary education »Education »Graem e Paton »More From The WebIn Education NewsBreaking: Gov. Rick Perry Orders Nat ionalGuard Troops t o U.S.-Mexican Border, MoreKerry Caught on Camera; Slams IsraelisRep. Pet er King, Lat est from Ukraine andGaza, DIRECTV 349, DISH 223, Click HereSchool strikes must bestopped, says DavidCameronGraham: Obama All Talk, No St ick onRussiaIsrael Int ercept s Suicide DonkeyHow t o St ay Asleep All Nightpdfcrowd.com
Researcher Reveals Dangerous Drug forSeniorsPupils to study more Shakespeare 08 Jul 2013Primary review: school standards rise 'has been exaggerated' 16 Oct 2009Y our Body Will Warn Y ou 4 Mont hs BeforeDement ia St rikesPrimary review: 'start formal lessons at six' 16 Oct 2009Primary review: scrap Sats tests, experts say 16 Oct 2009Primary review: specialist teachers for infants 16 Oct 2009Sats tests 'should be axed' 09 Oct 2009Schools told: usescout leaders to breakteachers' strikeA new Cambridge Primary Review Trust – based at York University – hasnow been established to build on the work of the inquiry and help raisestandards in primary schools across the country.Speaking at the launch on Monday, Prof Alexander said the trust wouldseek to develop teaching in the face of a “neo-Victorian” NationalCurriculum.More From The WebNUT walkout: whyare teachers striking?“While primary schools must and do insist on the foundationalimportance of literacy and numeracy, they should also lay those otherfoundations – in science, the arts, the humanities, in physical, emotionaland moral development and in lived experience - that in their way are noless important for young children’s future learning and lives,” he said.The new curriculum makes a distinction between the “core” subjects ofEnglish, maths and science – which are covered in depth – and shorterspecifications for “foundation” subjects such as history, geography,languages, art, physical education, music and design and technology. Itwill be taught from September 2014.But addressing an audience of teachers and academics, Prof Alexandersaid an equal focus on all subjects would “make children more truly‘secondary ready’ than if they do the three-Rs and little else”.He added: “The review has consistently argued against the neo-Victorianopposition of the ‘basics’ on one hand and the rest on the other, whichthe revised National Curriculum perpetuates, sadly, in its sharper-thanever distinction between the ‘core’ and foundation subjects."Such stratification is both educationally inappropriate and pedagogicallyopen in browser PRO versionAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API'Education will suffer,unless our concernsare addressed' 423 : Fly Roundtrip to the Caribbean forLessNon-stop flightClick for More OffersUniversity CourseFinderEducation Most ViewedTODAYPAST WEEKPAST MONTH1. Teacher 'caught having sex at school’2. Trojan horse plot: Birmingham schoolsfragmented 'like the Balkans'3. Nearly half of students will not pay backpdfcrowd.com
3. Nearly half of students will not pay backgovernment loans, warn MPscounterproductive."This two-tier curriculum undervalues not just the true cultural andeconomic worth of the so-called non-core subjects but also the evidencefrom research and inspection showing how learning in one areaenhances learning in others.”4. Pupils at Suffolk primary school speak 58languages5. Christians lie and wives must have sex orgo to hell, Trojan Horse pupils toldThe new trust is being sponsored by Pearson, the education andpublishing company, and will provide support services and teachingmaterials for primary schools.TELEGRAPH COURSES»A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “It is utterlyunacceptable that so many children leave primary school without a firmgrounding in the basics of English, maths and science. That is why ourrigorous new primary curriculum focuses on these vital subjects.PostgraduateSolutions Postgraduate life inthe UK“Of course we expect primaries to teach beyond just English, maths andscience. That is why we are giving teachers more freedom than everbefore, allowing them to shape lessons to meet the needs of the pupilsthey know best.”Discover a DistanceLearning MBA withKingston UniversityShare119Facebook25Tw itter94LinkedIn02Promoted storiesThe Truth AboutOnline Education - It'sNot What YouExpect NPRWhy do teachersthink the CommonCore gives themfreedom of teaching?Education isProducing aNationwideGentrification EffectThe Thomas B. FordhamInstituteRoll Call4 Homework HabitTricks To Teach YourKids Post-it BrandFree Prince2 andAgile projectmanagementtrainingDevelop your careerwith an MBA onlineat University ofEssex OnlineLearn to trade theForExMore from The Telegraphopen in browser PRO versionAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF APIpdfcrowd.com
What do youngwomen see in mucholder men? 22 JulMH17: how would EUsanctions on Russiaaffect Europe? 22 Jul20142014Is it OK for men not tocare about fashion?32 worst examhowlers of all time 1022 Jul 2014Jul 2014Rec ommended byAds By GoogleITT Tech - Official SiteAssociate, Bachelor Degree Programs Browse Programs Now & Learn More.w w w .itt-tech.eduUniversity of Phoenix Official Site. Start Classes Today. Online and Campus College Programs.phoenix.eduEarly Childhood Education30-Credit Online M.Ed Program at Arizona State University-Apply Now!asuonline.asu.edu/early-childhoodHow we moderateComments for this thread are now closed.175 CommentsTelegraphSort by Newestburniea 10 months agoMore From The Web»What is needed is common sense, and one is not going to find that in politicians and academic settings.open in browser PRO versionAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF APIpdfcrowd.com
I would thing that British history is a core subject and would agree it is on par with science and math. Exposure toShop and Save on Millions of Productsarts and culture are important too and can be helpful in making the core classes more useful.And after a certain age, students should begin to be exposed to more varied curriculum that allows them awakenuntapped interests, whether that interest is art, music, welding etc. Share ›lordlindley 10 months agoMikim oto CulturedPearl Necklace 14K.Kay Jew elers FigaroLink Chain 14K. 2,299.00 629.00KayKayI nearly didn't read it when I saw the word 'academic' but I continued. I was right another 'free-thinking loon' which isthe very reason the changes have been brought in. The subjects are fine & varied for under 11's, to give a base forlater studies. We are fed up of degrees in general science & sports journalisim. We need solid subjects for solidcitizens. We have no place for honours degree Jeremy Kyle watchers.1 Share ›limeyexpat 10 months agoKate Spade new york'one in a m illion.Ross-Sim onsSterling Silver. 37.90 95.00Amazon.comRoss-Simonswell at least it was taught in English2 Share ›schoolswot 10 months agoPromoted storiesAlexander made another point not noted above.The respected academic, who led the Cambridge Primary Review – a three-year analysis of all aspects of primaryeducation published in 2009 - attacked the current "discourse of derision" in which the government denounced thosewho disagree with its ideas was the real "enemy of progress".Check Out ThisFamily CraftProject: Make ClayJewelryHome.With YourI notice that Alexander himself has been attacked on here by someone who posts on ConservativeKids Well quite.Bad Neighborhoods:How to Read theWarning SignsBefore You Move in(r ea lt or .com )(T a m pico)open in browser PRO versionAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF APIpdfcrowd.com
All part of the "I'm right, you're wrong" slapdown practice of Gove, his Spads, Toby Young et al as soon as anyonecomes up with anything that they disapprove of.Nasty stuff.5 Share ›Foods That Could beCausing an Irregular(Stbelowa ples) that you haven'tHeartbeatI criticised Robin Alexander's primary review when it appeared, and notice that you sayjohnbaldschoolswot 10 months agoFreshman 15 MustHaves for College(Hea lt h Cen t r a l)even read it! As it happens, they loaned me a copy, but you don't have to pay for these things - I useRec ommended byCambridge Education Faculty's excellent library, which has free access. And I'm afraid I don't believe hisapproach is right. I want to see evidence in terms of improvements in children's knowledge, skills andunderstanding - real evidence, not box ticking. There is no evidence in this review that would persuadeanyone that what it proposes is worthwhile. A collection of opinions is not evidence, neither is "philosophy", or"pedagogy", which is just a long word for teaching.The Cambridge primary review is so much hot air, and I'll happily debate this with anyone, anywhere. Share ›schoolswotjohnbald 10 months ago@johnbaldBut you're not just criticizing his review but him as a person and his entire working career.Your opening line was this:"Oh, what a surprise. I look at Robin Alexander's record, and ask when he has actually taught anyoneanything."You then gave us the link which could have told you that he taught for 13 years.How is that not playing the man and not the ball?It doesn't actually matter that I haven't read the Primary review since it wasn't implemented - it's moreyour approach that is so similar to others around Gove right now which is what Alexander wascriticizing.2open in browser PRO version Share ›Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF APIpdfcrowd.com
johnbaldschoolswot 10 months agoI am not criticising Professor Alexander as a person. I don't know him. And I'm interested inwhat he taught, not what posts he held. I'm saying, having read his review carefully, that I thinkit is not based on evidence of what makes teaching most effective in terms of the developmentof children's knowledge, skills and understanding. In particular, it says virtually nothing abouthow to teach reading and numeracy. I'm saying, in short, that he is wrong. And we all know thecouplet:"Only for telling a man he was wrong,Two lovely black eyes." Share ›Guestschoolswot 10 months agoDo you think it was deliberate and co-ordinated? JB is a regular poster on the Grauniad, where he gets arougher ride than here (I know how he feels). Share ›johnbaldGuest 10 months agoFor the record, I post on the Guardian's website because a lot of teachers do too, and we areinterested in the same things. I get occasional abuse, some of which is deleted by the editors, anddon't expect an easy run there as a professed Conservative. I also get some interesting debate, andpeople sometimes agree strongly with what I say. Share ›Guestjohnbald 10 months agoPerhaps we should swap? Share ›schoolswotGuest 10 months agoDon't think this was co-ordinated as it doesn't seem to have attracted attention outside the DT so far this one seems to have a virulent dislike of Labour and anyone who might have come into contact withthem.open in browser PRO versionAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF APIpdfcrowd.com
I've never read Alexander's review (I'd have to pay for it!) but I can't believe that there's nothingworthwhile in it. Share ›johnbaldschoolswot 10 months agoI give Labour credit for improving the education of children in care, and for some of their schoolbuildings. Otherwise, most of what they have done is delusory, and massaged by fake testand examination scores. As a Conservative, and former member of the Labour party - I have anice note welcoming me from Estelle Morris - I don't expect to do other than oppose Labour.However, as you're arguing about a book you haven't read, there is not much more to say. Share ›Guestschoolswot 10 months agoI gather the whole of academia is one great Marxist conspiracy. Share ›johnbaldGuest 10 months agoThen look further, as this is certainly not my view. Some academics base their work onevidence, and long may it continue. It was academics who carried out theClackmannanshire research on phonics, for example. Share ›schoolswotjohnbald 10 months ago@johnbaldBut it's certainly the view of Gove and those who operate around him.That was the point that Alexander was making.Valid or not? What is it he called them.the Blob?1johnbald Share ›schoolswot 10 months agoThat was Chris Woodhead's phrase. I prefer to call them the Octopus, as they haveopen in browser PRO versionAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF APIpdfcrowd.com
tentacles and suckers in most areas of education, with infinite capacity forregeneration. Share ›wimsb 10 months agoArts? Sh1te by Emin and Hirst? Nothing by Money, Holman Hunt, Michaelangelo or Turner, I'll bet.Humanities? How wonderful multiculturally vibrant Islam is?Why we should all vote Labour?Music? How to compose rap and hip hop?Science? Here's a video of an experiment because the Health and Safety cretins say that I need produce reams ofrisk assessments before I can do anything, limiting any classroom spontaneity.Stick to the 3 R's1 Share ›Guestwimsb 10 months agoWho on earth is Money?1 Share ›germanspyGuest 10 months agoBamberMonet? Share ›Guestgermanspy 10 months agoWell, obviously I know THAT. Blinking phonics, you see? Share ›schoolswotwimsb 10 months agoWas this for a competition to see how many cliches you could use?open in browser PRO versionAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF APIpdfcrowd.com
1 Share ›Gettingoldernowwimsb 10 months agoNo. Just reform the Arts and Humanities to what they once were. Quite as valuable as the more clearlyutilitarian subjects.1 Share ›GuestGettingoldernow 10 months agoI don't often agree with you, but hear, hear! Share ›GettingoldernowGuest 10 months agoWe may agree on more than you think. Share ›GuestGettingoldernow 10 months agoThat looks somehow sinister! Share ›wimsb 10 months agoHe's part of the problem. Churning out the same moronic message as his crypto Marxist predecessors whodestroyed education in the late 70's onwards.1 Share ›regniztar 10 months agoA good primary curriculum uses the 3 Rs rather than endlessly drilling them. Teach it, practice it, then do it "for real",admittedly still in an exercise, but one that is focused on something other than reading, writing and arithmetic.You can't prioritise everything. Music, art, sport and so on have their place. But they can't be top level priorities,they're what you do after the basics are achieved.4 Share ›fatslaphead 10 months agogermanspyopen in browser PRO versionAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF APIpdfcrowd.com
"a very bright year 7 needs something to do even if it's just learningvocab, solving a few maths problems or writing a poem about his hamster."I think you are absolutely right and that is why I said that homework is over rated for the average and below averagekid.1 Share ›schoolswot 10 months ago"Of course we expect primaries to teach beyond just English, maths andscience. That is why we are giving teachers more freedom than ever before,"Really?The section in the National Curriculum relating to English is 85 pages long!And the Maths is 45 pages.More freedom?Rubbish. Freedom to do what we want more like.By the way, how many schools will have sufficient teachers ready to teach the new ICT syllabus?5 Share ›germanspyschoolswot 10 months agoSW'By the way, how many schools will have sufficient teachers ready to teach the new ICT syllabus?'Just ICT?THE problem with Gove's 'resurrection' of educational/academic standards is that our schools are populatedby teachers who themselves haven't a clue. It is a national disgrace how many non-mathematicians are'teaching' maths for example. Share ›open in browser PRO versionAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF APIpdfcrowd.com
Difargermanspy 10 months agogermanspyAs our state schools appear to have become marketplaces and Heads, or should I say Principals inmany cases, believe that they are running a business, it is little wonder that non-specialist teachersare teaching subjects in our secondary schools that they are not qualified to teach. Teachers have toteach what they are directed to teach by the management - should they be unlucky enough to haveany gaps in their timetables then they are fair game. This happens in most subjects. Of course overthe years there has been a steady increase in the number of subject specific teacher shortages soanyone with a qualification in one of those subject and who already teaches in the school has becomefair game.Mr. Gove knows about this but this government seems to have abdicated responsibility of teachertraining/recruitment to the free market instead of taking reponsibility for it, despite the fact thatthousands of schools are now directly responsible to the government. Mr. Gove has also said that hedoesn't believe that children need to be taught by qualified teachers. He obviously does not feel thatthe training of teachers is of utmost importance.2 Share ›germanspyDifar 10 months agoDifarYou seem to be saying that everything is the current government's fault.At the second school I taught in in the mid 80s I was the only maths graduate and, boy, did theweasel head of department (union rep if memory serves too.up the workers!) hate me for itbecause he was from a teaching college and had done geography or similar. I was of coursegiven ALL the bottom sets and this was sanctioned by the evil duo of head and deputy. goodCatholics both! I suppose in today's staffrooms Gove is also responsible for the crucifixion ofone JC?You are being extremely disingenuous when you talk about the qualified teacher bit by givingthe untrained reader's eye to understand that Gove is advocating non subject specialists toteach. I'd like to see where that is written. He is, RIGHTLY, pointing out that the stupid PGCEsystem is beyond useless and a waste of everyone's time and money.open in browser PRO versionAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF APIpdfcrowd.com
Share ›Difargermanspy 10 months agogermanspyNot at all - the situation in schools is a culmination of governments of the past threedecades, at least.When you refer to teaching college - do you mean the old teacher training college?This was entirely different to the PGCE. The head of department sounds awful but Itoo have met his ilk. As for being given the bottom sets - sometimes these are given tothe best teachers but you should have had a fair mix. Staffrooms are fast becomingdistant memories in to-day's schools and there are mixed feelings about Gove. It maysurprise you to learn that a large percentage of teachers are not socialists.I didn't mean to be disingenuous at all but the fact remains that he does know of thesituation relating to non-specialist teachers teaching in secondary schools and carteblanche has been given to academies and free schools to recruit whomsoever theywant without, even unqualified teachers.I beg to differ about the PGCE system. From experience of mentoring both PGCEstudents and Graduate placement students I can tell you that the former are carefullysee more Share ›schoolswotgermanspy 10 months ago@germanspy"He is, RIGHTLY, pointing out that the stupid PGCE system is beyond useless and awaste of everyone's time and money."So why then did the new head teacher of Pimlico Primary who has never taught beforelet alone be in any management position, complete her PGCE before she becamehead?open in browser PRO versionAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF APIpdfcrowd.com
Given that she runs a free school she doesn't have to be qualified.so why did she doone?1 Share ›germanspyschoolswot 10 months agoSWBest ask her.Most heads are deluded freaks of nature so. there is a logic to the situation Isuppose. Share ›Guestgermanspy 10 months agoI've been meaning to ask you this for ages . just who ought to be running our schools?The lady in question has only the slimmest of claims to be a teacher, so isn't she ideal,in your eyes?You obviously don't want teachers to be promoted to headships (as they're the scum ofthe earth, yourself excepted) . so who?1 Share ›germanspyGuest 10 months agoBamberOnce again your position is one of 'defensive paranoia'.I have NEVER said expressly that ALL teachers are the scum of the earth. I doubt Ineed to give an Oxbridge graduate lessons in syllogistic logic. There is a differencebetween some/many teachers aren't worth my spit and all teachers aren't worth myspit. etc.Where have I said ever that I don't want teachers to be promoted to headships? I wantthe RIGHT teachers to be promoted to headships. I have nothing against non-teachersbecoming heads.open in browser PRO versionAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF APIpdfcrowd.com
All a head needs is people/soft skills, high intelligence and above all common sense.They don't need to know the Education Act 1944 verbatim or be au fait with the latestresearch papers by some Trot Prof of Education at the University of Numptyville. Share ›schoolswotgermanspy 10 months agoSo you want primary teachers to be mathematicians?What about English?"is that our schools are populated by teachers who themselves haven't a clue."Usual wide sweeping generalisation.Do you know many teachers there are? So how many do you know?2 Share ›Guestschoolswot 10 months agoGS says primary teachers don't need to be graduates at all. Shades of John Patten. Share ›germanspyGuest 10 months agoBamberDefine graduate.Then go back thirty years and redefine it.See what I'm getting at?( Hint: We actually have illiterate and innumerate 'graduates' a gogo these days.Believe me I know several! We need teachers - especially in primary - who can bloodywell spell and add up!) Share ›open in browser PRO versionAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF APIpdfcrowd.com
Sun 10 months agoLast time I checked, the Victorian age was better than now in many ways.I love how these idiots use it as a pejorative word.3 Share ›GettingoldernowSun 10 months agoBritain was great back then. But then again it used to be . . . er . . British. Share ›SunGettingoldernow 10 months agoEr.you need to work on your.er.wit.er. Share ›GettingoldernowSun 10 months agoSurprising comment, I was agreeing with you. I do not see what I said as an attempt at wit,merely trying to be as PC as possible. Share ›SunGettingoldernow 10 months agoReally? I thought you were trying to mock me.My apologies. Share ›hillbilly 10 months agoAs an ex-academic, I can put my hand on my heart and say that a lot of universities are filled with aspergers freakswho are totally bloody useless idiots.6 Share ›Sunhillbilly 10 months agoThat made me laugh. Although why is your name "hillbilly?" Not very academic. Share ›open in browser PRO versionAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF APIpdfcrowd.com
weybridge10 months ago Thatcher closed more grammar schools than any other Sec for Education.1 Share ›fatslaphead 10 months agojohnbald"He was well thought of by Sarah Teather,"That just has to be the kiss of death.3 Share ›johnbaldfatslaphead 10 months agoIndeed. The most ineffectual minister since Alan Johnson. Share ›Load more commentsSubscribeAdd Disqus to your siteopen in browser PRO versionAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF APIpdfcrowd.com
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open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com Pupils to study more Shakespeare 08 Jul 2013 Primary review: school standards rise 'has been exaggerated' 16 Oct 2009 Primary review: 'start formal lessons at six' 16 Oct 2009 Primary review: scrap Sats tests, experts say 16 Oct 2009 Primary review: specialist teachers for infants 16 Oct 2009
