Basics central to new curriculum, says Government
Ministers have unveiled proposals for a back-to-basics curriculum focusing on times-tables, spelling, reading and arithmetic but a union leader warned it would lead to an unexciting "uniform education" for children.
New draft curricula for English, maths and science in primary schools were published by the Government today, which it says will help to boost standards.
Under the plans, pupils will be expected to memorise their times tables up to 12 by age nine, multiply and divide fractions by age 11 and begin to learn and recite poetry at five years old.
But the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) raised concerns that politicians had presented a "heavily prescribed curriculum" that will leave little chance for teachers to excite children and adapt lessons to suit their pupils.
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... (The Independent - 11 June)