Gove's Review gets it - broadly - right !!

I've been waiting for the outcome of the review of the National Curriculum with interest, and the first report, I must say, is encouraging. I support the extension of Key Stage 4 to three years. Although it will require large-scale revision to the GCSE, this is well overdue. That, I imagine, is why implementation is being delayed a year. The commitment to less specification is sensible, though, inevitably, schools will select what they teach based on examination syllabuses, as they used to do before the National Curriculum. The broadening of the Key Stage 4 curriculum is welcome, particularly in light of the Raising of the Age of Participation, a Labour policy enacted in the Education and Skills Act 2008 and supported by the Coalition Government. Specialisation can sensibly follow at the age of 16. And the proposals to redefine 'core', 'foundation' and 'basic' are welcome as well.