"Too much" maths and English taught

Science, arts and the humanities have lost out to a disproportionate weight on teaching maths and English in the primary curriculum, a study has shown.

A team from the University of Manchester found that children were taught an “alarming amount” of maths and English, to the detriment of other subjects.

Data was examined from the last ten years. The National Curriculum’s emphasis on testing maths and English is responsible for the change, say the researchers.

Dr Bill Boyle, who led the research, said: “It’s scandalous that around half of teaching activity is now on two subjects.
“Ofsted argues that the curriculum should be balanced and allow adequate development of each subject area.”