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On 20 May 2003, the Secretary of State launched Excellence and Enjoyment - A Strategy for Primary Schools which set out the vision for the future of primary education built on what we have already achieved. This vision is for a sector where high standards are obtained through a rich, varied and exciting curriculum which develops children in a range of ways.
| In launching the Primary Strategy document (May 2003), Charles Clarke, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, introduced the strategy as follows:
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| 'Excellent teaching gives children the life chances they deserve. Our system must not fail any child. High standards - especially in literacy and numeracy - are the backbone of success in learning and in life. Our primary education system must not write off any child through low expectations.
Enjoyment is the birthright of every child. But the most powerful mix is the one that brings the two together. Children learn better when they are excited and engaged - but what excites and engages them best is truly excellent teaching, which challenges them and shows them what they can do. When there is joy in what they are doing, they learn to love learning.
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| I want every school to drive its own improvement, to set its own challenging targets, and to work tirelessly to build on success. However good our schools are, for the sake of our children they can always be better.'
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The Primary Strategy encourages schools to use the freedoms they already have to suit their pupils and the context in which they work. The goal is for every primary school to combine excellence in teaching with enjoyment of learning.
Schools will:
- develop the distinctive character of the school, building on existing strengths (e.g. sport or music) or working closely with the community;
- take ownership of the curriculum;
- be creative and innovative in how they teach and in how they run the school;
- use tests, targets and tables to help every child develop their potential and measure school performance.
The DfES will:
- support innovation and offer more scope for school autonomy;
- keep a strong focus on standards and maintain the target for 85% of primary pupils to reach level 4 at KS2 as soon as possible;
- Change the local target-setting arrangements: schools will set the targets to begin, with LEAs following;
- provide schools with better performance data;
- maintain high standards at KS1, but trial a new approach to assessing 7-year-olds;
- recognise the achievement of all children, by improving value-added measures;
- look into changing the performance tables to include a school's character as well as performance.
- Schools will need to commit to a programme of professional development for all their staff.
- Schools should look at what other schools do to learn from them and exchange expertise
Click below to find out more about the Primary Strategy:
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