As a result of the review of the transfer process assessment is now included in the curriculum review. It is suggested that end of Key Stage assessment be replaced with a standard annual report which will focus on each of the curriculum areas and on essential skills.

The nine curriculum subjects will be combined into five areas:

i)       Creative, Expressive and Physical Development,
ii)      Language and Literacy,
iii)     Mathematics and Numeracy,
iv)     Personal Development,
v)      The World Around Us,

and content is to be delivered in topics. There is to be an emphasis on personal, interpersonal and thinking skills and teachers are to have more flexibility in content. It is suggested that there is great potential to combine Personal Development with work in Religious Education.

Other new features include the introduction of a Foundation Stage for the pre-school year to year 2, with the Primary Stage starting at year 3.

Bad news for anyone trying to avoid ICT - CCEA intends to provide computer based sample teaching plans and other resources. Similarly, assessment, recording and reporting will be ICT based.