Response to article in the Sunday Telegraph 25 July 2010

Yesterday’s Sunday Telegraph carried a story about the school curriculum, saying that local schools have been issued with lesson plans that don’t include famous scientists because they are white.

As the paper was told, but failed to fully reflect in the article, none of this material related to the statutory elements of the National Curriculum. Some of the material dates back to 2003 and we are not aware that of any of our schools are using this material.

No part of the National Curriculum or its statutory requirements were rephrased or rewritten.

The material was only there as a guide to help make science more relevant to some pupils.  It was not there at the exclusion of other scientists.

The curriculum has moved on. Many schools are now moving away from these optional QCA areas and finding far better ways to engage their pupils.