TEACHERS have been reflecting on the challenges posed by an overhaul of the National Curriculum.
Education Secretary Michael Gove announced changes to what children are taught, and when, earlier this month, following on from reforms of exams and the way pupils are assessed.
The changes will affect both state primary and secondary schools from September 2014, although academy schools have more control over their curriculum.
Mr Gove has come under fire from teaching unions, which fear the pace of change is too fast. But David Cameron praised the changes as a rigorous, engaging "revolution in education".
Changes to the history curriculum have been among the most controversial.
Ron Searle, head teacher at The Warwick School, in Redhill, said: "History does become almost the history of Anglo-Saxon men.
"History moves away from a class-based course to a memory course – it is very much in the spirit of the old O-level – and Michael Gove has been explicit in saying he looks back with fondness on the 1950s.
"Practically speaking, the issues are going to be re-writing schemes of work in a very short space of time and how much is it going to cost to resource? You are going to need new books and new teaching resources."
He also has concerns about the effect of qualification reform.
"I am uncomfortable with some of the changes," he said. "Some of the accountabilities will push schools to put students in a straightjacket of qualifications which may not be suitable. I am uncomfortable with that area of it, because there are a lot of young people who have great practical aptitudes and their achievements might be devalued by this."
He added: "There is a huge amount going on. It will be very interesting to see how it all plays out, particularly given the time scales. It is huge upheaval and huge expense, but we are used to it."
Under the new curriculum, primary pupils will learn fractions at the age of five and study history up to 1066.
Judith Constable, head teacher at Sandcross Primary School, in Sandcross Lane, Reigate, said: "The greatest changes and challenges for us will be in the history curriculum and the requirement to teach computing skills.
"We have some wonderful history topics that may have to change. One of these is the Tudors – that period of history is no longer in the Key Stage 2 programme of study.
"However, we will continue to teach about Shakespeare that was linked to that topic. Our Year 4 trip to Stratford-upon-Avon could continue with that focus.
"It is a huge amount of work creating a new curriculum, but we redesigned ours three years ago and have always retained an element of flexibility. We have a strong philosophy of learning that will not change when the content is altered – it might even improve still further."
