The New National Curriculum Expert Subject Advisory Groups

The background to the project Teaching Agency (now NCTL) brought together expert groups to identify any requirements or resources that should be taken into account in relation to initial teacher training (ITT) from September The Improving ITT Content Unit established expert groups, which focused on 11 primary national curriculum subjects, and included members from HEIs, SCITTs, Teaching Schools and Subject Associations.

The purpose of the early groups With a focus on ITT, initially the remit was to: Signpost differences between the current and new curriculum; Identify resources to support differences/expectations; Flag up any deficits in subject knowledge and materials.

The shift to becoming sector-led The work of the groups is now understood to be “for the sector by the sector”; We now work in collaboration with the DfE; The groups are non-politicized and seek to retain their professional autonomy; Consequently the membership of the groups has shifted as the remit has been extended; A strategic group was created in order to co- ordinate the work of the groups overall.

The current work of the groups Now working in collaboration with the DfE, the extended remit of the groups is to provide expert advice for both schools and providers. The groups will: Consider EYFS, SEND and KS3; Consider the implications for CPD; Consider how materials might best be disseminated, ensuring that they are accessible for schools as well as providers; Provide reports for the Minister on the activities of the groups and possible future work in each subject area.

Some key challenges recognised by the groups All groups have identified key challenges for schools and providers. For most groups these include; Lack of guidance in terms of pedagogic approaches; The need for CPD to extend subject knowledge; Lack of clear progression in the curriculum leading to challenges around transition points; Lack of appropriate resources currently available; Lack of expertise available to schools and providers in specialist subject areas.

Outputs from the groups The work of the groups across the subject areas will include the following; Audit tools to support schools and providers to consider their current provision and identify their CPD requirements; Expert advice about resources currently available to support the new curriculum as well as indications about where there may be a lack of available resources; Guidance about approaches to pedagogy which are likely to support the delivery of the curriculum; Indications of curriculum content that is not explicit in the current draft but may be necessary to ensure progression.

Outputs from the groups The current plans are for the materials produced by the groups to be hosted on a range of subject association websites as well as on those of other strategic partners. The DfE and NCTL website, UCET and NASBTT will signpost schools and providers to the various advice. We hope that other organizations such as local authorities, teaching school alliances, and a range of trusts will do likewise. If funding were available then clearly a “one stop shop” would be the best option. It is likely that these sites will remain dynamic in their nature as the work on the new curriculum and related CPD grows.

Next Steps… The strategic chairs group is currently working with a range of partners to explore the following areas: The provision and signposting for CPD; Funding for any future work; Creating a strategic network that engages a range of stakeholders.

Questions and discussion