Draft curriculum for Wales out for consultation

A draft publication of the new curriculum for Wales, which will be rolled out in 2022, has been launched for consultation.

The curriculum has been designed by teachers and experts and aims to break away from the outdated curriculum first introduced in 1988.

The consultation is running until 19 July and the Welsh Government is asking for the widest possible range of views - from Universities and Colleges to industry; from youth organisations to businesses and employers from across the public, private and third sectors.

Teachers are being given more flexibility to develop a curriculum in their school that meets the needs of their learners. They will be able to do this by using a common framework that includes six new Areas of Learning and Experience (AoLEs).

These Areas of Learning and Experience will cover: Mathematics and Numeracy; Science and Technology; Humanities; Languages, Literacy and Communications; Health and Wellbeing; and Expressive Arts.

Traditional subject-to-subject boundaries will be broken down, allowing learners to consider different concepts and issues in the broadest possible way.

Every AoLE will also be set firmly within a Welsh and international context so that learners have the opportunity to understand their country and its contribution to the world in every part of the curriculum.

Cross-curriculum responsibilities of literacy, numeracy and digital competence will be statutory up to 16 years old.

The purpose of making these areas cross curricular is so that learners can apply them to different academic or real-life situations; from an earlier age that might be practicing their numeracy skills by learning songs or at a later age it might mean learning about how to problem solve and manage their money in a relationship.

English and Welsh, Religious Studies and Relationships and Sexuality Education, will also be statutory up to 16 years old.

In a break from the past, Key Stages will be removed and replaced with Progression Steps for each AoLE. These will set out expectations for what learners ages 5, 8, 11, 14 and 16 should be achieving and will inform the design of the curriculum in each school. They will also allow teachers to assess learners progress as they move through school.

This continuous assessment is intended to give learners, as well as their parents/carers, a clearer picture of areas where they can improve - taking into account their individual abilities, experiences and rates of learning and understanding.

Independent regulator Qualifications Wales will ensure that any proposed changes to qualifications as a result of the new curriculum make sense for learners, teachers, parents and employers.

A total of £44 million has been specifically set aside to support schools and teachers prepare for the new curriculum. This includes £20 million for development and implementation and a further £24m - the single biggest investment in support for teachers in Wales since devolution – for professional learning.

The draft curriculum framework will be available to view here.