Experts hail U-turn on citizenship in the curriculum

The Education Secretary’s U-turn on the introduction of the English Baccalaureate Certificate (EBacc) and publication of the draft national curriculum have allayed some concerns that schools would have to focus on core academic subjects at the expense of citizenship education or PSHE.

The curriculum framework consultation paper includes citizenship education for 11- to 16-year-old pupils (Key Stages 3 and 4) and states that all schools in England should make provision for PSHE.

“We are delighted that [Education Secretary] Michael Gove has turned around advice to drop the subject,” said Andy Thornton, chief executive of the Citizenship Foundation.

“This has yielded great results for young people and for wider society. Citizenship strengthens civic and civil society and is set to grow in strength and influence in the coming years.”

Joe Hayman, chief executive of the PSHE Association, added: “We welcome the focus on a broad and balanced curriculum and an education which equips young people for future life.”

“We think the best way to achieve this is through PSHE education as part of a broader whole-school approach.

“We were delighted to see the reference to PSHE on the curriculum and continue to press for statutory and broader accountability measures for the role that PSHE can play in schools.”

In his parliamentary announcement of the government’s education plans, Gove said the reforms intended the statutory national curriculum to form “only part of the school curriculum, not its entirety”.

“We are determined to give every child, regardless of background, a broad and balanced education – so that, by the time their compulsory education is complete, they are well equipped for further study, future employment and adult life,” said Gove.

The consultation on the revised curriculum will run until 16 April.