Consultation on the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill
Evidence submitted to the Children, Young People and Education Committee for Stage 1 scrutiny of the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill.
Individual
1. The Bill’s general principles
1.1 Do you support the principles of the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill?
Yes
1.2 Please outline your reasons for your answer to question 1.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1500 words)
The bill heralds the nation’s commitment to a new era in schooling; an era of raised ambition, relevance to the changing world and attention to the changing needs of childhood and youth. The proposed approaches to curriculum and assessment will help schools to take much needed steps towards new practice, improve rigour, raise standards and improve outcomes.
The principles emerge from the recommendation of Successful Futures (2015) which were accepted in their entirety and embraced by the education community. The bill represents considerable steps taken in formulating the detail new expectations, supported by coordinated development work and activity.
The breadth of education community involvement in the development of the curriculum and assessment reform and supporting processes and strategic direction has built understanding and anticipation.
This bill will be viewed with optimism and will offer clarity and purpose for all involved.
1.3 Do you think there is a need for legislation to deliver what this Bill is trying to achieve?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
Yes. The reason for legislation is to clearly define expectation and set a new direction and ambition form previous legislation.
2. The Bill’s implementation
2.1 Do you have any comments about any potential barriers to implementing the Bill? If no, go to question 3.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
I believe the bill addresses well the potential barriers and the work that has taken place in terms of Our National mission has set in train the necessary support for revised approaches.
2.2 Do you think the Bill takes account of these potential barriers?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
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3. Unintended consequences
3.1 Do you think there are there any unintended consequences arising from the Bill? If no, go to question 4.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
I think unintended consequences have been anticipated and obviated well.
4. Financial implications
4.1 Do you have any comments on the financial implications of the Bill (as set out in Part 2 of the Explanatory Memorandum)? If no, go to question 5.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
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5. Powers to make subordinate legislation
5.1 Do you have any comments on the appropriateness of the powers in the Bill for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation (as set out in Chapter 5 of Part 1 of the Explanatory Memorandum). If no, go to question 6.1.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
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6. Other considerations
6.1 Do you have any other points you wish to raise about this Bill?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
It is vital that, when the bill is passed, all partners sign up and that minor debate about aspects of curriculum content is shelved for a while. Nothing will work better to spur the endeavour of teachers and schools than widespread agreement with the agenda and pride in our offer to the young.