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The curriculum in England |
The curriculum in Spain
New -
David How speaks to Pamplona newspaper
England
The curriculum for Primary Schools in England is a major
step closer to getting the radical overhaul it requires.
For many years primary schools have complained that the
national curriculum for primary schools is too overcrowded
with content, not focussed enough on young children’s
learning needs and negatively influenced by the rigid
national testing regime (SATs).
The Government in response have asked a former Inspector of
Schools, Sir Jim Rose to carry out a full investigation of
primary education and to advise on reforms.
Sir Jim Rose’s interim report from his review this week (8
December 2008) gave greater detail of how he will propose to
slim the curriculum and improve transition in and out of
primary education.
If accepted, the Government will implement the changes from
2011.
The report’s most striking recommendation is to rearrange
the curriculum around six areas of learning, rather than
using the current 11 statutory and three non-statutory
subjects.
The six areas are:
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understanding of English, communication and languages;
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mathematical understanding;
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science and technological understanding;
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human social and environmental understanding;
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understanding physical health and wellbeing;
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understanding the arts and design.
The Review, commissioned by the Government, was instructed
not to look at SATs (national tests), but Sir Jim mentions
them in his interim report, pointing out that there are
serious concerns about their effect
The report acknowledges that it has been "driven by the need
to reduce curriculum overload and over-prescription".
The full and final report is due out in Spring 2009.
You can download the full report from
www.dcsf.gov.uk/primarycurriculumreview.
Spain
NURSERY SCHOOL
It is
the grade that refers to children from 4 months until 6
years. The attendance at this stage is not compulsory, even
though nowadays, a wide majority of children go to school at
these ages.
Within this stage we could find two different cycles: 1st
cycle from 4 months to 3years and the 2nd one from 3 to 6
years. This last cycle is normally included in the primary
schools. We could not say the same about the 1st cycle
though, as it is normally a separate school.
Nursery goals
The main
purpose in Nursery is to achieve a physical, an affective, a
social and an intellectual development of the kids.
Both
cycles will aim to attend progressively body movement
control, body health usages, language and communicative
approaches, basic rules of relationship and socializing, as
well as the discovery of the environmental social and
physical characteristics.
Also,
the aim will be that children get a positive and equilibrate
image of themselves and a grade of personal autonomy
according to their age.
School subjects in the second cycle of Nursery School
The
school contents are organised in areas corresponding to the
child's experience and development. They will be worked with
including activities.
The
areas of the second cycle of Nursery School are:
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Knowledge of themselves and personal autonomy.
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Knowledge of the environment.
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Language: communication and representation.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Primary
is a compulsory and free stage. Generally, children start
Primary Education at the age of 6.
It is divided in 3 different cycles.
The
first goal of the Primary Education is to provide children
an education that permits achieve a personal development and
welfare. It does not only purpose to acquire reading and
writing production and understanding skills, but also to
develop social skills, studying and working usages,
affectivity and creativity.
There
are some basic skills that Primary Education should
contribute to develop:
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Language communication skill.
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Mathematics skill.
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Knowledge and interaction skill with the world.
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Information and digital resources use.
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Social and citizenship skills.
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Cultural and artistic skills.
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Learn to learn skills.
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Autonomy and personal initiative.
Subjects
Basically, there are some subjects that are taught in all
the cycles at this stage.
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Arts
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Physical Education
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Basque language and its literature.
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Spanish language and its literature.
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Foreign language (English)
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Maths
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Science
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Citizenship education.
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