Curriculum: our position | National Governance Association

NGA supports the principle of a national curriculum which sets out minimum expectations for what children should be taught, while still retaining space for local flexibility and innovation.

While the headteacher/CEO is responsible for ensuring effective teaching and learning on a day-to-day basis, the governing board has a key role in ensuring that the school/trust’s curriculum offer is broad and balanced such that pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education and adult life. As a result, NGA have been calling for reform of the national curriculum to better emphasise practical skills and non-core subjects, while improving inclusivity for all pupil groups, including those with SEND.

Those governing should also ensure that due emphasis is placed on the responsibility for providing social, moral, spiritual and cultural education that prepares pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. This includes the provision of personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education and relationships and sex education.

A diverse curriculum should be inclusive of the experiences and histories of all groups and allow children and young people to see and be seen in the curriculum. Diversity should not be an add on to the current offer, but rather embedded and woven throughout.