Northern Ireland Curriculum

The National Curriculum of Northern Ireland identifies the minimum requirements of skills for each subject and the range of contexts, opportunities and activities through which these skills should be developed and applied.^[1]

History[]

Before 1988 schools had total autonomy and teachers divised the curriculum best suited to the needs of their pupils. Margaret Thatcher imposed the first 'common curriculum' for three of the four nations. Teachers opposed this prescriptive move. The first curriculum review took place in 1998–1999 in England and 2000–2004 in Northern Ireland. A further review happened in North Ireland in 2010.^[2] The 1988 version of he curriculum was rigidly subject defined. There had been no teacher input and no testing. Politically it attemped to define both the content and the pedagogy. It proved over-ambitious and content-laden and to be unmanageable. Cross-curriculum working and personal development was not covered. In England the Dearing Report trimmed the content but did not change the structure while the review in the province was more leisurely and addressed the issue phase by phase. ^[2]

Structure of the national curriculum[]

Foundation Stage[]

Language and Literacy

Talking and Listening

Reading

Writing

Mathematics and Numeracy

Number

Measures

Shape and Space

Sorting

Patterns and Relationships

The Arts

Art and design

Music

Drama

The World Around Us

The World Around Us

Personal Development and Mutual Understanding

Personal Understanding and Health

Mutual Understanding in the Local and Wider Community

Physical Development and Movement

Physical Development and Movement^[3]

Areas of learning and skills[]

Areas of learning

Language and Literacy

Mathematics and Numeracy

Modern Languages

The Arts

Environment and Society

Science and Technology

Learning for Life and Work

Physical Education

Cross-Curricular Skills

Communication

Using ICT

Using Mathematics

Other Skills

Problem Solving

Working with others

Self-Management^[3][4]

Key stage 3[]

Key Stage 3 students are 11-14 year olds (Years 8, 9, and Year 10 in the Northern Ireland system). This is the first post-primary keystage. ^[5]

Key stage 4 - Entitlement Framework[]

"Every school must offer at least 24 courses at Key Stage 4, and 27 in the post-16 category. In addition, at least one third of the courses offered must be general and one third applied; that is the minimum figure", said Peter Wier. ^[6] This was subsequently reduced to 21- of which one-third must be general courses, and one third applied courses. All secondary schools in Northern Ireland are in Area Learning Communities (ALC) where they are encouraged to co-operate, and deliver 'shared education'.^[7] To fulfill the required 21 courses a school is encouraged run a joint course with a neighbouring school and extra funding is available to help them do so.^[8]

Key Stage 4 students are 14-16 year olds (Year 11 and Year 12 in the Northern Ireland system). These students will study for GCSEs or an equivalent. Schools offer GCSE courses that map to the areas of learning- to provide a balanced offer.^{[citation needed]}

References[]

External links[]

• Statutory minimum content order 2007