Explanatory Memorandum to the Education (National Curriculum) (Attainment Targets and Programmes of Study) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2015

This Explanatory Memorandum has been prepared by the Department of Education and Skills and is laid before the National Assembly for Wales in conjunction with the above subordinate legislation and in accordance with Standing Order 27.1

Minister’s Declaration

In my view, this Explanatory Memorandum gives a fair and reasonable view of the expected impact of the Education (National Curriculum) (Attainment Targets and Programmes of Study) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2015.

Huw Lewis

Minister for Education and Skills

5 August 2015

1. Description

This Order gives legal effect to the new Programmes of Study for Mathematics, English, Welsh, and Welsh Second Language in the National Curriculum in Wales.

2. Matters of special interest of Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee

None.

3. Legislative background

This Order is made undersections 108(3)(a) and (b) and (5) and 210 of the Education Act 2002.  These powers were conferred on the National Assembly for Wales and were transferred to the Welsh Ministers by paragraph 30 and 32 of Schedule 11 to the Government of Wales Act 2006.

This statutory instrument amends the Education (National Curriculum) (Attainment Targets and Programmes of Study) (Wales) Order 2008. 

The Programmes of Study were published on the Learning Wales website on 3 August 2015 at http://learning.gov.wales/resources/collections/programmes-of-study?lang=en

This Order is being made under the negative resolution procedure. 

Purpose & intended effect of the legislation

The purpose of the Order is to put into effect the Programmes of Study for English, Welsh, Welsh Second Language and mathematics for Key Stages 2 to 4 from 1 September 2015, and to keep the existing attainment targets commonly referred to by practitioners as Level Descriptions.

Consultation

Consultation on the proposals to make these revisions took place between 26 March and 13 June 2014 as part of Phase 1 of the review of literacy and numeracy arrangements.  The main focus of this consultation was to seek stakeholders’ views on proposals to revise:

· Foundation Phase Areas of Learning (AoL) in Language, Literacy and Communication Skills; and Mathematical Development; and

· Programmes of Study (PoS) from Key Stages 2 to 4 for English, Welsh (first language) and mathematics to complement the LNF.

A summary of responses was published on 17 October 2014 at: http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/education/curriculum-for-wales-revised-literacy-and-numeracy-arrangements/?status=closed&lang=en

There was significant support for these revisions, and further amendments were proposed. Subsequently, changes were made to the content and presentation of the AoL and PoS to strengthen and support the teaching of literacy and numeracy providing greater opportunity and challenge to schools and settings as they consider how best to plan and provide appropriate, relevant and motivating experiences for all learners.

Regulatory Impact Assessment

A Regulatory Impact Assessment has not been produced for this order as the changes to the curriculum are not expected to impose any additional costs on schools.  The content of the Programmes of Study has not been increased, but greater detail and clarity has been provided, particularly in terms of alignment with the Literacy and Numeracy Framework, and alignment in Key Stage 4 to the revised GCSE qualifications, which commence first teaching in September 2015.  Moreover, no changes have been made to the operation of the Programmes of Study.

Consequently, no additional workload implications are expected for any part of the education system.