UCAC welcomes the publication of Professor Donaldson's Report

UCAC has today welcomed the publication of Professor Donaldson's Report: Successful Futures (Independent Review of Curriculum and Assessment Arrangements in Wales)

 

"Professor Donaldson has listened to teachers and pupils. The 68 recommendations include details about a more flexible curriculum which will allow teachers more freedom to use their professional opinion and to be responsible for decisions", said Elaine Edwards, UCAC's General  Secretary.

 

There is a lot to welcome and to consider.

 

The recommendations are radical but they provide an opportunity to develop a Curriculum for Wales which will satisfy both pupils and teachers and which will help to ensure that pupils become effective lifelong learners.

 

We welcome the fact that teachers will have further input to how the 6 Areas of Learning and Experience will be developed. Two of the three cross-curricular elements, Literacy and Numeracy, exist already. The third, Digital Competency, will be challenging to achieve, but we recognise its importance for pupils' prospects and Wales' economic future.

 

UCAC welcomes the acknowledgement of the importance of Welsh language skills, of teaching Welsh as a means of communication and of promoting Welsh.  We have some concerns that the strong emphasis on speaking and listening may take attention away from writing skills, which will be required for further study and in the workplace.

 

We welcome the emphasis on using a variety of suitable techniques for assessment for learning and agree that our pupils face external tests too often.

 

We are very aware of the work load of our members and that any change brings new challenges, but we welcome the intention to implement the new curriculum gradually over a long period.

 

We look forward to being part of the continuing discussion and to ensure that the pace of change is acceptable to our members.

 

For further information please contact UCAC on 01970 639950