Curriculum for Wales Guidance

curriculum-for-wales-guidance-120320.pdf

Pedagogy

Pedagogy is at the heart of curriculum. In designing their curriculum, schools should consider the pedagogical approaches they will need to employ to support learners in realising the four purposes. Schools should seek to develop a strong vision of learning and teaching which considers the ‘why’ and ‘how’ as well as the ‘what’. This vision will recognise the integral role of the learning environment in supporting effective learning.

Schools should ensure that practitioners have a deep and thorough understanding of the pedagogical principles and the research on which they are based. Effective pedagogy relies on an in-depth understanding of child and adolescent development. It involves exploring and reflecting on which teaching strategies will best support learning in a given context, and inquiring about the impact of this on learners. Curriculum design for learners of all ages and abilities should be underpinned by pedagogical principles. These reflect well-documented evidence about effective pedagogy.

The pedagogical principles

Curriculum design for all learners is underpinned by twelve pedagogical principles, which state that good learning and teaching:

maintains a consistent focus on the overall purposes of the curriculum
challenges all learners by encouraging them to recognise the importance of sustained effort in meeting expectations that are high but achievable for them
means employing a blend of approaches including direct teaching
means employing a blend of approaches including those that promote problem-solving, creative and critical thinking
sets tasks and selects resources that build on previous knowledge and experience and engage interest
creates authentic contexts for learning
means employing assessment for learning principles
ranges within and across Areas
regularly reinforces the cross-curricular skills of literacy, numeracy and digital competence, and provides opportunities to practise them
encourages learners to take increasing responsibility for their own learning
supports social and emotional development and positive relationships
encourages collaboration.

Curriculum for Wales Myth Busting

Prior to and increasingly more so since the publication of the draft Curriculum for Wales, several myths and misinterpretations have emerged that are contrary to the intentions of those involved in the design and development. In this document, we seek to dispel some of these myths and provide some balance where unhelpful dichotomies have begun to emerge.

Mythbusting CfW.docx

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