Main Ideas behind the Curriculum Proposals

• Provide greater flexibility through reduced requirements

• Enable schools to design a curriculum that meets their needs

• Provide scope for teachers to follow their professional instincts

• Promote more coherent thinking, collaboration and relevance in how learning is presented

• Strike the right balance in skills, capabilities, knowledge and understanding

• Encourage pupils to be independent motivated learners

Focus of the Curriculum Proposals

• Minimum Entitlement/Statutory Requirement

• Learning for life and Work

• Education for Employability

• Local and Global Citizenship

• Personal Development (Including Home Economics and PSHE)

Curriculum Proposals

• General Learning Areas

• The Arts
Subject strands: Art and Design and Music (Drama*?)

• English and Irish (in IM schools only)
Including Media Education (and Drama* as a subject strand?)

• Environment and Society
Subject strands: Geography and History

• Modern Languages

• Mathematics including financial capability

• Science and Technology
Subject strands: science and technology & Design

• Physical Education

• Religious Education

Skills and Capabilities Framework

• Critical and Creative Thinking
• Creativity
• Managing Information
• Problem Solving/Decision Making
• Communication, Application of Number and ICT
• Personal and Interpersonal Skills
• Self Management
• Working with others

Curriculum Framework

• Common framework for all

• Knowledge and understanding (illustrated through real life contexts)
And set out under:

• The curriculum Objectives
• Key Elements e.g. Media Awareness
• Learning outcomes, including skills and capabilities
• Sufficient Foundation to achieve KS4

Ideas behind the Assessment Proposals

• Shift the emphasis to assessment for learning rather than assessment of learning

• Provide good quality information for parents, teachers. school management and government agencies

• Present information in a way that is meaningful to all

Prepare pupils for KS4

• Build over time a realistic picture of a pupil's attainment, abilities, Attitudes, aptitudes and interests

• Parents and pupils share the same realistic picture

• Make informed choices in courses and career pathways

Measurement of Skills

• Communication, Application of Number and ICT only

• Expansion of Key Stage 3 ICT scheme to include AoN and Communication

• Supported by CEA - advice and optional tasks

• Scale of measurement subject to consultation

• Recognition of Progress and Achievement at Key Stage 3(not statutory)

• Certificate of Skills Achievement in Communication, Application of Numbers and ICT

Progress file (Year 10) to showcase

• Annual Report
• Certificate of Skills Achievement
• GOML
• First CV
• Engagement with outside agencies