MPs call for slimmer curriculum

Teachers have been de-skilled by the National Curriculum and National Strategies, say MPs.
The cross-party schools select committee wants a slimmed-down primary curriculum which leaves more room in the timetable for other learning.
The MPs cross questioned 32 expert witnesses including schools minister Jim Knight, and Sir Jim Rose who is writing a review of the primary curriculum for the government.
They also took written evidence from 42 organisations.
"At times schooling has appeared more of a franchise operation dependent on a recipe handed-down by Government, rather than the exercise of professional expertise by teachers," says the report.
The MPs say Sir Jim Rose's interim recommendations are unnecessarily complex, and they also oppose his proposal that children should move into reception at age 4. "Due to their low practitioner-to-child ratios these settings cannot cater for the needs of very young children."
The schools select committee is one of 19 select committees in the House of Commons with the job of scrutinising the work of government departments.
National Curriculum: Fourth report of session 2008-09
Children, Schools and Families Committee of the House of Commons