-choose what subject (i.e. English, maths, science etc) and either England or Wales

Your essay should cover the following points:

1. What factors led to the subject’s inclusion in the original National Curriculum (1988 Education Act)?
2. What view does the National Curriculum in this subject take, implicitly and explicitly, of the subject as a resource for the general education of pupils in schools?
3. In what respects has the framework and/or content of the National Curriculum in this subject proved controversial?
4. In what respects has the introduction of the National Curriculum in this subject changed the way the subject is taught and learned in schools?

ED20820 – Making sense of the curriculum – Assignment 1 guidance

1. Make sure that you have read the current National Curriculum for your subject.

This is essential reading and must be referred to in your essay.

You will also need to refer to previous versions of the National Curriculum.

1. When you quote from the National Curriculum (any edition, either country), you must use quotation marks and correct referencing, including page numbers where there are page numbers.

1. You must use the Harvard system for all sources. Check with the Reading List and ask if you’re not sure.

1. Make sure that you keep track of the dates of your sources and write about them in the correct tense. For example,

Sealey (1996:38) says that the National Curriculum “expresses a belief that involving children in contexts which require standard English will lead to its adoption.”

This should be

Sealey (1996:38) said that the National Curriculum of 1995 “expresses a belief that involving children in contexts which require standard English will lead to its adoption.”

1. Use contents lists and indexes as well as just looking for books on your subject. For example, books intended for primary or secondary teachers (or teachers generally) may have chapters about your chosen subject. These may cover its development through the national curriculums, teaching methods and controversial aspects.

1. There is a series of books called “Learning to teach [a National Curriculum subject] in the secondary classroom”, published by Routledge.

These are in English and consist of chapters by different contributors. Most, if not all, have a section about the subject in its general context as well as its pre National Curriculum context.

1. Other reliable sources may include subject associations, eg The Association for Science Education (ASE) or the Association of Teachers of Mathematics (ATM). There are also professional associations, eg the Association for Physical Education (afPE) and The National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD). If you are unsure, contact me to check.

1. Welsh in the National Curriculum

1. If you decide to look at Welsh in the National Curriculum, you will have to use more original documents, reports, etc.

1. More information is also available in texts which deal with the development of the Welsh language and the history/development of education in Wales generally.

1. If you quote from a text written in English, the quote should remain in English; if you quote from a text in Welsh (eg the National Curriculum), the quote should remain in Welsh.

1. If you have any referencing queries, ask.

1. Blogs, journalism and websites for parents or the general public are not appropriate sources for this module.

One exception might be if you find a blog written by one of the authors on the reading list – make sure that it is actually that author and not someone else of another name!