Teaching in England Preparing your placement 2007 IUFM de Paris

Your tasks Your tasks Choose one of the following, do research and make a quick presentation of your findings: Choose one of the following, do research and make a quick presentation of your findings: Teacher education and training: Teacher education and training: The National Curriculum – choose a subject: The National Curriculum – choose a subject: The University of East London: The University of East London:

Organisation of school time in England and Wales Organisation of school time in England and Wales 2006/7 school year 2006/7 school year Source: Source:

Pre-primary education Pre-primary education Organised provision since late 18th century (voluntary and philanthropic) Organised provision since late 18th century (voluntary and philanthropic) Pre-school education influenced by the ideals of Robert Owen, Rousseau, Pestalozzi, Froebel and Montessori Pre-school education influenced by the ideals of Robert Owen, Rousseau, Pestalozzi, Froebel and Montessori 1998 School Standards and Framework Act – Local Authorities have the duty to provide pre- school education in their area 1998 School Standards and Framework Act – Local Authorities have the duty to provide pre- school education in their area Since April 1999, all 4 year-olds have been offered 5 two-and-a-half hour sessions per week Since April 1999, all 4 year-olds have been offered 5 two-and-a-half hour sessions per week

Specific legal framework Specific legal framework The Schools Standards and Framework Act defines nursery education as full-time or part- time education suitable for children who have not reached the compulsory school age (i.e. the term after a child’s fifth birthday) The Schools Standards and Framework Act defines nursery education as full-time or part- time education suitable for children who have not reached the compulsory school age (i.e. the term after a child’s fifth birthday) Free part-time places have been available for all three-year-olds since April 2004 Free part-time places have been available for all three-year-olds since April 2004 The Government’s ’Every Child Matters’ agenda has aimed to develop more effective pre-school provision The Government’s ’Every Child Matters’ agenda has aimed to develop more effective pre-school provision 2002 Education Act – introduced the foundation stage as a part of the National Curriculum (3-5 years old) 2002 Education Act – introduced the foundation stage as a part of the National Curriculum (3-5 years old)

General objectives General objectives All 3 and 4 year-olds are entitled to a free, good-quality pre-school place All 3 and 4 year-olds are entitled to a free, good-quality pre-school place Goals for pre-school learning: Goals for pre-school learning: literacy literacy numeracy numeracy development of personal and social skills development of personal and social skills

Admissions Admissions In England and Wales, parents have a right to express a preference for a particular nursery institution for their child In England and Wales, parents have a right to express a preference for a particular nursery institution for their child If demand for places exceeds availability, LAs give priority to children with special educational needs (SEN) and to children from socially and economically deprived If demand for places exceeds availability, LAs give priority to children with special educational needs (SEN) and to children from socially and economically deprived families families

Age levels and grouping of children Children in nursery schools are between 3 and 5 years old Children in nursery schools are between 3 and 5 years old They may be grouped according to age They may be grouped according to age There are no legal requirements concerning the number of adults per child needed but their are guidelines (Children Act 1989) = minimum of 2 adults for 26 children There are no legal requirements concerning the number of adults per child needed but their are guidelines (Children Act 1989) = minimum of 2 adults for 26 children

Organisation of time Organisation of time The year runs from September to July and is divided into 3 terms The year runs from September to July and is divided into 3 terms Each term should be at least 11 weeks in length (excluding half-term holidays) Each term should be at least 11 weeks in length (excluding half-term holidays) Minimum of 5 sessions of nursery education per week (but parents can choose fewer) Minimum of 5 sessions of nursery education per week (but parents can choose fewer) Each session must be two-and-a-half hours in length Each session must be two-and-a-half hours in length Maintained nurseries tend to follow the same terms as primary schools (open 38 weeks of the year) Maintained nurseries tend to follow the same terms as primary schools (open 38 weeks of the year) Day nurseries (private sector) are generally open from 8am until 6pm and are open all year round Day nurseries (private sector) are generally open from 8am until 6pm and are open all year round

Curriculum, types of activity, number of hours Curriculum, types of activity, number of hours The foundation stage targets: The foundation stage targets: personal, social and emotional development personal, social and emotional development communication, language and literacy communication, language and literacy mathematical development mathematical development knowledge and understanding of the world knowledge and understanding of the world physical development physical development creative development creative development

Teaching methods and materials Teaching methods and materials The headteacher and staff are free to decide on the teaching methods and materials The headteacher and staff are free to decide on the teaching methods and materials LAs have no power to impose teaching methods LAs have no power to impose teaching methods Evaluation: statutory assessment begins when children enter the foundation stage Evaluation: statutory assessment begins when children enter the foundation stage Child’s development assessed Child’s development assessed

For more detailed information go to For more detailed information go to

Primary education Primary education Starts at approx. the age of 5 Starts at approx. the age of 5 Many children start in the reception class of primary school at age 4 Many children start in the reception class of primary school at age 4 In primary education, pupils follow key stages 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum In primary education, pupils follow key stages 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum Primary education caters for pupils between the ages of 5 and 11 Primary education caters for pupils between the ages of 5 and 11 Key stage 1 = 5-7 year-olds Key stage 1 = 5-7 year-olds Key stage 2 = 7-11 year-olds Key stage 2 = 7-11 year-olds

Education provided by publicly funded maintained schools must be FREE Education provided by publicly funded maintained schools must be FREE There may be some charges for extra-curricular activities There may be some charges for extra-curricular activities The National Curriculum aims to raise educational standards for all children aged 5 to 16 The National Curriculum aims to raise educational standards for all children aged 5 to 16 Local Authorities must ensure FREE transport to and from school for all pupils of compulsory age Local Authorities must ensure FREE transport to and from school for all pupils of compulsory age

Age levels and grouping of pupils Age levels and grouping of pupils Most children are taught in mixed-ability classes with children of the same age Most children are taught in mixed-ability classes with children of the same age Many primary schools have one or more mixed- age classes Many primary schools have one or more mixed- age classes School time School time The school year runs from 1 September to 31 August The school year runs from 1 September to 31 August The summer break is of about six weeks The summer break is of about six weeks Shorter breaks of 2-3 weeks at Christmas and Easter Shorter breaks of 2-3 weeks at Christmas and Easter Schools are generally open between 9.00 am and 3.30/4.00 pm with approx 1 hour for lunch Schools are generally open between 9.00 am and 3.30/4.00 pm with approx 1 hour for lunch A 15 min break may punctuate the morning and afternoon sessions A 15 min break may punctuate the morning and afternoon sessions

Lessons Lessons Number of lessons per week: Number of lessons per week: 21 hours for pupils aged 5 to 7 21 hours for pupils aged 5 to hours for pupils aged 8 to hours for pupils aged 8 to 11 This is in addition to a daily act of worship, registration and breaks for lunch and recreation This is in addition to a daily act of worship, registration and breaks for lunch and recreation The school year is 190 days (38 weeks) The school year is 190 days (38 weeks)

Curriculum, subjects and number of hours Curriculum, subjects and number of hours The Education Act 1996 requires LAs, school governing bodies and the headteacher of all maintained schools to guard against the political indoctrination of pupils by forbidding the ‘pursuit of partisan activities’ The Education Act 1996 requires LAs, school governing bodies and the headteacher of all maintained schools to guard against the political indoctrination of pupils by forbidding the ‘pursuit of partisan activities’ Political issues must be presented in a balanced way Political issues must be presented in a balanced way English, mathematics and science are core subjects English, mathematics and science are core subjects ICT, design and technology, history, geography, music and PE are foundation subjects ICT, design and technology, history, geography, music and PE are foundation subjects Religious education is also taught (the syllabus is agreed locally and reviewed every 5 years) Religious education is also taught (the syllabus is agreed locally and reviewed every 5 years)

The six key skills in KS1 and KS2 The six key skills in KS1 and KS2 Communication Communication Application of number Application of number Working with others Working with others Information technology Information technology Improving own learning and performance Improving own learning and performance Problem-solving Problem-solving

Citizenship, personal, social and health education Citizenship, personal, social and health education Publicly funded maintained schools are expected to follow a framework of citizenship, PSHE in KS1 and KS2 Publicly funded maintained schools are expected to follow a framework of citizenship, PSHE in KS1 and KS2 Certain aspects of drugs education (particularly tobacco and alcohol as well as illegal drugs) are compulsory Certain aspects of drugs education (particularly tobacco and alcohol as well as illegal drugs) are compulsory

Pupil assessment Pupil assessment  Formative elements help teachers decide how a pupil's learning should be taken forward, and give the pupils clear and understandable targets and feedback about their achievements. This information helps teachers and others to identify the need for further diagnostic assessments for particular pupils in order to help their educational development. This form of assessment is becoming known as 'assessment for learning'.  Summative elements provide evidence of pupils' achievements and of what they know, understand and can do, and is becoming known as 'assessment of learning'. There is no certificate awarded at the end of primary school. There is no certificate awarded at the end of primary school.

Attainment targets Attainment targets England England Key stage 1 and 2 English Key stage 1 and 2 English Attainment Target 1 Speaking and listening Attainment Target 1 Speaking and listening Attainment Target 2 Reading Attainment Target 2 Reading Attainment Target 3 Writing Attainment Target 3 Writing Key stage 1 and 2 mathematics Key stage 1 and 2 mathematics Attainment Target 1 Using and applying mathematics Attainment Target 1 Using and applying mathematics Attainment Target 2 Number and algebra Attainment Target 2 Number and algebra Attainment Target 3 Shape, space and measures Attainment Target 3 Shape, space and measures Attainment Target 4 Handling data (not applicable at key stage 1) Attainment Target 4 Handling data (not applicable at key stage 1) Key stage 1 and 2 science Key stage 1 and 2 science Attainment Target 1 Scientific enquiry Attainment Target 1 Scientific enquiry Attainment Target 2 Life processes and living things Attainment Target 2 Life processes and living things Attainment Target 3 Materials and their properties Attainment Target 3 Materials and their properties Attainment Target 4 Physical processes Attainment Target 4 Physical processes

Education Welfare Officers (EWO) offer guidance and support on attendance and related pupil welfare issues to schools and families. They play an important role in helping to ensure regular school attendance. Education Welfare Officers (EWO) offer guidance and support on attendance and related pupil welfare issues to schools and families. They play an important role in helping to ensure regular school attendance. For further information about primary education in England go to and specific English websites. For further information about primary education in England go to and specific English websites.