Industry News
Govt curriculum reforms 'crazy'
Posted on 15th November 2007
A leading figure within the private education sector has accused the government of "crazy" plans to solve societal problems through the national curriculum, it has been reported.
Bernard Trafford, chairman of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference made his comments to the Times, following revelations that many independent school bodies are planning to create their own curriculum.
Several organisations have spoken out against recent government reforms to studies, claiming they are too focused on "fashionable causes".
Dr Trafford called upon private schools to make use of their independence.
"The curriculum has lessons in citizenship, sex education. Health and safety will be next. It's just crazy, schools are being looked upon to solve society's ills," he told the Times.
Pat Langham, president of the Girls' Schools Association told the newspaper that social education used to be considered part of a school's ethos rather than its lesson time.
According to the Guardian newspaper, a new curriculum could "intensify" the academic attainment gap between private and state schools.
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