CCEA calls for support for education proposals

The Chief Executive of the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) has urged teachers to support their new education proposals for 11 to 14-year-olds.

Gavin Boyd was speaking as CCEA launched a widespread consultation on proposals for education for pupils between the ages of 11 and 14, the first part of a young person’s post-primary education, and the period immediately before the start of GCSE and other courses.

CCEA said it has already gained considerable support for the overall aims and objectives of the curriculum and that it was now making available more detailed proposals on this education stage.

Mr Boyd explained: “Over the last few years we’ve listened closely to what we’ve been told by parents, teachers, employers and pupils and in response we’ve put the most important issues at the centre of the proposals set out today.

"We want to create a curriculum that engages young people, that prepares them for life now and in the future, and that enables them to develop the skills and attitudes to help them succeed in a rapidly changing world.”

The implementation of the proposed changes will be carried out in a phased manner over a number of years from September 2005.

In advance of this a number of schools will pilot a range of approaches to timetabling and to teaching and learning in citizenship, employability, personal development and new assessment procedures.

Best practice from these pilots will be used to inform training in the wider implementation of the new arrangements.

(MB)