New Secondary Curriculum - Significant Milestone for Education in the Country

Year 7 pupils have recently become the first to experience the new National Secondary Curriculum.

"The introduction of the new secondary curriculum is a significant milestone for education in England. The new curriculum offers real opportunities for schools to raise the aspiration and achievement of their students by making learning relevant, engaging and irresistible for our youngsters." - Mick Waters, Director of Curriculum, QCA

Significance for PE & School Sport (PESS) in Northumberland

As a result, Key members of Physical Education staff in Northumberland have already had the opportunity to:

Attend a "new secondary curriculum" PE conference at St James Park in Newcastle to hear Mick Waters himself - talk about the "big picture" and the integral role of Physical Education within this new curriculum.
Attend and contribute towards a highly valuable and interactive Northumberland National CurriculumPE review day. The 30 members of staff, representing over 25 Middle /High/Special schools, who attended this event found the day to be informative, thought provoking and useful in helping them to consider and plan appropriate actions, changes, dissemination needed in their own schools.

Delegates were given the opportunity to:

· Receive a briefing containing information relating to the planned changes in the PE National Curriculum (secondary)

· Improve knowledge, understanding and awareness of these changes and the implications of the revised PE National Curriculum (secondary)

· Discuss how they might:

o tailor or customise their curriculum in order to make more impact upon learners

o use this as an opportunity to consider new approaches to curriculum planning teaching and learning

o Discuss, share and exchange views on aspects of innovative and developing good practice (in Northumberland) via table top workshops on:

o “Curriculum Design and Innovation”

o “Learning to Learn” in and through Physical Education (Developing independent learning)

o ”Developing Confidence and Responsibility through leadership in PESS”

If you were unable to attend this review day or would like further information, please click on the following links;

Secondary Curriculum – PE Review Day

New National Curriculum Website;

Further materials will soon be made available by QCA through Mid Autumn term regional dissemination events and will be shared with Northumberland schools via Northumberland HODs PE briefings , the PE SLA ,SSP networks and our website.