Following on from the previous Eye On Wales programme last month, when Dr Nigel Newton was involved in a discussion which introduced the new education system, Dr Newton now discusses whether or not the new curriculum will help to close the attainment gap.
Almost two-thirds of teachers at schools that have trialled Wales’ new curriculum feel it will not benefit poorer pupils, a survey has suggested. Only 30% of 600 teachers at “pioneer schools” surveyed by Cardiff University thought it would be beneficial. Nigel Newton from the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research at Cardiff University told BBC Eye On Wales: “This is shocking. What we don’t want is for there to be a situation in 10 years’ time, where pupils in some schools leave just not knowing the things other pupils know.” (BBC Online, 17/7/19)
Dr Newton makes reference to our ‘Successful Futures for All‘ research which has been providing the Welsh Government with insights into the development of the new curriculum for Wales, including the challenges and opportunities that it will inevitably bring.