Evolution or revolution? Fiona Read on rethinking the primary curriculum

An article written by Head of Bedales Pre-prep Fiona Read has been published on the Independent Schools Council (ISC) website, addressing the need for radical change to the primary curriculum and assessments. 

Agreeing with calls for reform from former education secretaries across the political divide, Fiona explains how the focus on standardised testing for primary school children has resulted in a narrow and outdated curriculum, which fails to nurture valuable 21st century skills such as creative thinking and resilience.   

In the article, Fiona states that many teaching practices of today take root in the Industrial Revolution, confining children’s learning to a traditional classroom setting driven by teacher instruction, rather than embracing active hands-on exploration and play. 

Highlighting the importance of early years education in “laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning”, Fiona cites a study by international child development researcher Dr Jacqueline Harding, which supports the fundamental role of play in forging neural pathways vital for growth and development. 

In order for young learners to thrive in their education and beyond, Fiona argues there must be a shift away from these restrictive classroom practices in favour of more natural, inquiry-based approaches that place children at the centre of their learning experience. At Bedales Pre-prep, half-termly inquiries, such as communities and sustainability, allow children to explore topics in a hands-on and integrated way, from the very youngest at the Nursery through to Year 3. 

The article also draws on successful global pedagogies, detailing how they could be implemented within the National Curriculum in England to create a holistic, meaningful and engaging educational experience which fosters critical thinking and interdisciplinary connections. 

Fiona emphasises that the time to rethink how we teach primary education is now and outlines how creating learning environments designed to capture children’s interests, spark curiosity and instil passion and wonder will lead to much-needed evolution in the curriculum.

Read the full article here.