Up and down the country schools are implementing their new secondary curriculum. But the big question is - how do we know it's having an impact? Thomas Estley Community College has recently developed its new secondary curriculum, which includes a Year 9 'specialisms afternoon', weekly sessions where pupils develop skills through working in different vocational disciplines ranging from musical performance to rough science. The aim is to develop independent learners, to encourage higher aspirations and to foster a sense of global citizenship. This programme explores some of the ways the school is witnessing the impact of their new curriculum changes. Vice Principal Mandi Collins and her colleagues go on a Learning Walk to assess the impact of specialisms afternoon; governors interview pupils using the tool kit they have developed; and pupil researchers interview teachers about the impact of skills-based learning.

Video Series: New Secondary Curriculum
Release Date 2008