The Revised Northern Ireland Curriculum
Now that the Education (NI) Order 2006 has come into operation, the framework for the revised curriculum will be in place from August 2006, with the new requirements being phased in from September 2007 through Subordinate Legislation. Throughout the curriculum, there will be a greater emphasis on developing skills and preparing young people for life and work.
The revised curriculum includes a new Foundation Stage to cover P1 and P2. This is based on the Enriched Curriculum approach and will provide a more appropriate curriculum for the youngest pupils by developing their skills and confidence and introducing them to formal learning when they are ready. Key Stage 1 will now cover P3 and 4 and Key Stage 2 will remain as P5, 6 and 7. At post-primary, Key Stage 3 will remain as Years 8, 9 and 10 and Key Stage 4 Years 11 and 12.
The revised primary curriculum is made up of Religious Education and the following Areas of Learning:
- Language and Literacy
- Mathematics and Numeracy
- The Arts
- The World Around Us
- Personal Development and MutualUnderstanding
- Physical Education
The revised post-primary curriculum includes a new area of Learning for Life and Work, made up of Employability, Personal Development, Local and Global Citizenship and Home Economics (at Key Stage 3). In addition, it is made up of Religious Education and the following Areas of Learning:
- Language and Literacy
- Mathematics and Numeracy
- Modern Languages
- The Arts
- Environment and Society
- Physical Education
- Science and Technology
At Key Stage 4, the statutory requirements have been reduced to Learning for Life and Work, PE, RE and developing skills and capabilities. This is to provide greater choice and flexibility for pupils and will enable them to access the wider range of opportunities schools will have to provide through the Curriculum Entitlement Framework
The timetable for phasing in the detailed curriculum and assessment arrangements has been drawn up by the Partnership Management Board (PMB), which consists of representatives from across the education partners. You can access further information about PMB and the revised curriculum implementation plans on the Partnership Management Board Website.
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