You will be aware that the proposed new primary curriculum was within the Children, Schools and Families Bill which did not get passed prior to parliamen You will be aware that the proposed new primary curriculum was within the Children, Schools and Families Bill which did not get passed prior to parliament being officially dissolved. It is important that the many schools who are currently reviewing and renewing their current curriculum continue to do so. One of the ways schools are already engaging with curriculum review, development and improvement is through attending the Curriculum Countdown Seminars (which will now be referred to as Curriculum Development Seminars). Other schools have purchased a PIPP linked to curriculum development. Some schools (or clusters) are purchasing bespoke curriculum advice and support.

The termly Curriculum Development Seminars (finishing Summer Term 2011) will continue to:

	Present inspirational and well informed national speakers from the Curriculum Foundation (Mick Waters, Brian Male), QCDA, Primary Strategies, Ofsted
	Present innovative headteachers (local and national) whose schools represent a variety of outstanding curriculums,
	Raise awareness of any new curriculum initiatives or developments nationally and locally as they emerge,
	Support and guide schools in reviewing, developing, adapting and evolving their current curriculums,
	Raise awareness of local and national opportunities and issues linked to the curriculum,
	Enable schools to enter a curriculum dialogue with local authority primary advisers.

Some facts to remember:

	The current national curriculum is a minimum entitlement but can be extended,
	Schools do not have to use QCA schemes of work,
	The way a school organises its curriculum is a matter for the individual school,
	The National Strategy provides high quality resource materials that schools may decide to use,
	The new Ofsted inspection framework (from September 2009) has new curriculum descriptors.

If you have any queries please email Patrice Baldwin or John Sweet.