Reading CfW - Focus on Pedagogy
Using Welsh Government January 2020 documents - Blog 2
Focussing on Pedagogy during curriculum development & design
This is the second in our blog series looking at the curriculum documents published by Welsh Government on January 28th of this year.
Full documentation from Welsh Government can be accessed here: https://hwb.gov.wales/curriculum-for-wales
Welsh Government have made it clear schools shouldn't rush to implement the new Curriculum for Wales. Kirsty Williams, education minister has stated the reason for this is that she wants schools to read the documentation, which numbers 252 pages, but also have time to engage deeply with the contents. She also announced in the Senedd on January 28th:
"After Easter, I will publish our curriculum implementation plan based on where schools should focus their efforts at different points up to 2022, and how we and the middle tier will support them in that process.”
We envisage this plan detailing key actions and support options for schools to take them step by step through the curriculum redesign and development process from April this year through to statutory implementation in Sept 2022. This was confirmed when we met with a representative of Welsh Government last week. The implementation plan is based on suggestions made by the OECD in their review of progress in Wales towards curriculum implementation, which is due to be published in March.
So, in these intervening weeks, to enable schools to engage with documents and consider key elements of implementation that will be useful in preparation for the publication of the implementation plan, we are focussing this second blog on pedagogy for Curriculum for Wales.
A new expectation of Curriculum for Wales outlined in the January 2020 release, is that teachers are required to fully understand the 12 pedagogical principles and the research that underpins them. The principle of subsidiarity passes the responsibility for pedagogical approach directly to the teacher in the classroom, so this may be why the curriculum documentation itself includes little direct reference to the 12 pedagogical principles or the research that underpins them. The pages below, are though an interesting starting point for greater in depth research:
- Page 6 - An integrated approach to curriculum design - this links with the 'making links within and between AoLEs' pedagogical principle
- Page 8 - Progression and assessment at the heart of curriculum design - assessment is indistinguishable from the teaching and learning process, so needs to form part of the consideration of pedagogy.
- Page 47-50 - Developing a methodology for curriculum design - Implementation & practical considerations
What about the research that underpins Curriculum for Wales Pedagogy?
To fully prepare for the new curriculum redesign process teachers are required to understand the research that underpins it. The place to start this process is Chapter 5 of Successful Futures, Professor Donaldson's original review of Wales' curriculum and assessment landscape. The underpinning research is cited, in part, in the footnotes to Donaldson's review. This could be followed up by further exploration using the EWC research resource here: https://www.ewc.wales/site/index.php/en/statistics-and-research/practitioner-research/access-to-research-resources.html
We have also created an analysis of each of the 12 pedagogical principles, the research cited by Professor Donaldson and steps schools can take to further engage with the principles. To access this resource go to our website www.impact.wales and click on ImpactPlus.
The final blog in our series of three will cover Practical Considerations for all schools during Implementation. More news soon. Read blog One here: https://www.smore.com/kcr9t
To find out more about how we support schools with curriculum redesign and managing curriculum changes go to our website www.impact.wales.
A Little More About Us
Who are we? - We are Finola & Jane, Literacy & Numeracy specialists, with 35+ years of teaching, training & leadership experience between us.
What's our experience? - We have both worked for Welsh Government supporting schools & senior leaders across Wales. We have held senior leadership posts, delivered support to strategic education advisers, both hold school governor posts and have published curriculum support guidance with Oxford University Press...but if you need to know more visit our website for testimonials from schools we've worked with.
Why should you book our support? - Put simply, because we believe in impact. We do exactly what our name suggests. Our workshop keeps things simple and ensures school actions really work. Our focus is always on delivering measurable impact for pupils
Email: enquiries@impact.wales
Website: www.impact.wales
Location: Caerphilly, UK
Phone: 029 2167 9140
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Twitter: @ImpactWales