Nuffield Curriculum Centre

Maths issues

Government response to the Smith inquiry

www.dfes.gov.uk

The government's initial response to the recommendations from the Smith inquiry focus on teacher recruitment, training and retention. It will take a while for the implications for the curriculum to become clearer since action has to tie in with the work on the Tomlinson group.

Recommendations about the curriculum which will be explored by QCA and others include:

• the introduction of an extension curriculum separately at Key Stage 3 and 4 for more able learners;

• an exploration by the Tomlinson group of the curriculum pathways suggested in the Smith report.

Meanwhile we are working with Geoff Wake to explore the suggestion from the Smith report that the approach adopted in the AS Use of Maths Course could be applied at levels 1 and 2 (the GCSE range). Geoff is trying out ideas with a small group of schools.

Comment