Curriculum for Wales
Curriculum for Wales
Mount Stuart Primary is currently working towards the new Curriculum for Wales which will come into effect from September 2022. The curriculum has been reformed at a national level in order to raise standards, reduce the attainment gap between students and equip young people with the skills they need to live in today’s ever-changing society.
September 2022: All maintained schools and settings using the new curriculum and assessment arrangements
The first teaching of all year groups from primary school to Year 7 will begin in September 2022 and the new curriculum will roll out year-on-year from this point.
What about the current ‘Key Stages’?
While Key Stages 2, 3 and 4 will disappear the principles of the Foundation Phase will remain the same but will become a part of one seamless curriculum for children aged 3 to 16 providing more joined up learning.
Progression steps will now be in place at ages 5, 8, 11, 14 and 16 relating to broad expectations of a child’s progress.
Progression Step 1 – Nursery to Reception
Progression Step 2 – Year 1 to Year 3
Progression Step 3 - Year 4 to Year 6
Progression Step 4 – Year 7 to Year 9
Progression Step 5 - Year 10 to Year 11
Will the way children learn change?
The way children learn in primary schools will be different. Learning will include skills and experiences, as well as knowledge. Teachers will have more freedom to teach in ways they feel will have the best outcomes for their learners.
The 4 Purposes
The Four Purposes will be at the heart of our new curriculum. They will be the starting point for all decisions on the content and experiences developed as part of the curriculum to support our children and young people to be:
Key Elements
The new curriculum will include:
The curriculum will be organised into 6 Areas of Learning and Experience:
Expressive Arts
This area incorporates art, dance, drama, film and digital media and music.
Health and Well-being
This incorporates physical health and development, mental health and emotional and social well-being.
Humanities
This incorporates geography, history, religion, values and ethics, business studies and social sciences.
Languages, Literacy and Communication
This incorporates Welsh, English and international languages as well as in literature.
Mathematics and Numeracy
In the early years this will incorporate play (problem solving, exploring ideas, establishing connections and collaborating). In later years it will focus on working both independently and collaboratively.
Science and Technology
This incorporates biology, chemistry, physics, computer science and design and technology.
In addition, there is a Literacy and Numeracy Framework and a Digital Competency Framework which will embed literacy, numeracy and digital skills throughout all curriculum areas.
Children will also learn about:
• human rights
• diversity and respecting differences
• experiences and skills for careers and the workplace
• learning about local, national and international contexts
• developmentally appropriate relationships and sexuality education.
8 / 8
Assessment
Children will continue to be assessed and this will focus on ensuring that all pupils understand where they are and what they need to do next in order to progress. The change includes a move to online Personalised Assessments from National Tests.
Assessment will be part of your child’s learning every day. They’ll work with their teachers to understand how well they’re doing. This is important to help them:
• see where they are in their learning
• plan their next learning steps
• spot any issues or extra support they need
and to help their teacher:
• find ways to challenge them and
• see how well pupils are doing.