- Secondary National Strategy
2004/5
The strategy continues to move from separate strands to whole-school working. The overall strategy focus for 2004-5 is on increasing pupil rates of progress. There is a continued emphasis on strategic thinking by school leaders in using the Secondary Strategy to support school improvement.
The 2004-5 management documents can be downloaded from the KS3 Strategy web site. - Key Messages from all Strands
English, Maths, Science, ICT, Foundation Subjects and Behaviour and Attendance Key Messages can be found by following the link below: - Assessment for learning (AfL)
AfL is fundamental to good teaching in all subjects and good AfL practice motivates pupils and raises standards. It is a key strategy through which teachers can better meet the individual learning needs of pupils. The strategy has produced training materials consisting of generic training material to support whole-school training and subject-specific exemplification. These materials should be used selectively and can be used both by those relatively new to AfL and by those who wish to improve their existing practice. - AfL Materials
- ICTAC Materials
- LAC Materials
- LiL Materials
- Management Summary - ICT
This focuses on the main issues schools need to address to ensure the success of the ICT strand of the Key Stage 3 National Strategy. These documents include information and guidance on: The Framework, The role of the subject leader, Planning, teaching strategies, assessment and inclusion, Training and dissemination.
- Designing the Key Stage 3 curriculum
This document offers advice and practical suggestions for schools for a flexible approach to future curriculum planning. Some schools may already have reviewed the curriculum and timetable at Key Stage 3 as part of their preparations for the Strategy but where schools are planning a curricular review, they may find it helpful to read and discuss the advice and suggestions in this guide that are relevant to their circumstances.
- Download the document: Designing the Key Stage 3 Curriculum
- Download the document: A condensed Key Stage 3: Designing a flexible curriculum
- Whole school publications & resources
A complete list of all whole-school Key Stage 3 National Strategy publications can be found at:
ICT across the curriculum
ICT has a significant role to play in enhancing creativity, extending learning opportunities
and incorporating different paces and styles of learning to meet the individual needs of pupils. The application and transfer across the curriculum of the skills taught in ICT lessons are essential to increase the momentum of improvement. See also the ICTAC page (link at the left).
Literacy across the curriculum (LAC)
LAC makes a powerful contribution to pupils achieving higher standards in all subjects. Many schools have made good use of the Literacy across the curriculum folder (DfEE 0235/2001) and this work needs to be sustained and built on. Work will particularly support the development of writing.
Leading in learning
Leading in learning involves improving pupils’ learning and thinking skills and promoting
their development as independent learners. Following a successful pilot last year, the revised guidance on planning and management, together with teaching materials, will be available in spring 2005.
For ICT across the curriculum, Literacy across the curriculum and Leading in learning, there will be support materials consisting of introductory guidance, together with a specific management guide and a half-day training session for a senior manager and a lead teacher. These materials are designed for use by senior leaders, subject leaders and teachers. Schools will have a further opportunity to work on another of the whole-school initiatives in 2005–06.
A condensed Key Stage 3: Designing a flexible curriculum
This new guidance is intended to help schools to make effective use of the flexibility in the Key Stage 3 curriculum. It is based on early lessons learned from the two year Key Stage 3 project. This is an ongoing project that is still being evaluated and consequently this guidance may be subject to further revisions. This guidance also builds on the earlier DfES and QCA joint publication Designing the Key Stage 3 Curriculum which describes, with examples, how to design and timetable a Key Stage 3 curriculum that is relevant to an individual school's circumstances.