Changes to the English and Mathematics K-2 Curriculum
Curriculum is at the core of quality teaching and learning. It is important to communicate with parents, carers and community about the teaching and learning that is happening in your school. This engagement will assist schools in identifying strategic directions, decide on improvement measures and assess their progress which can lead to improved learning outcomes for students.
What is curriculum?
The curriculum is a plan for learning based on mandated and approved syllabus documents and current departmental policies and procedures.
The NSW curriculum refers to the suite of resources that are the syllabuses and the support resources to support teachers to implement the syllabuses. This includes, but is not limited to, resources including teaching and learning advice, assessment resources, and syllabus-specific materials including scope and sequences, units of work, standards materials and work samples.
What is curriculum reform?
The NSW Curriculum Reform aims to strengthen and streamline what is taught in schools. The curriculum reform is an opportunity to engage and reenergise what we teach and how we teach it. It focuses on making clear what is essential in the curriculum to give more time for deep learning, establish stronger foundations in English and mathematics, and provide stronger links between HSC subjects and career pathways.
English and Mathematics
In 2023 new Syllabus documents in English and Mathematics are being implemented in schools in Kindergartern through to Year 2.
The new syllabuses emphasise key concepts, identify essential knowledge and skills, and include new outcomes to clearly show what is essential. They remove ambiguity for all users. Clear and concise language in the outcomes and content help you to understand the learning expectations for building foundational skills in English and Mathematics. The new Digital Curriculum means the syllabuses will be easier to access and navigate, so users can find information more efficiently. Access content points are provided to indicate content that students with significant intellectual disability may access. Teaching samples and examples are easy to find and use. Teaching advice is a supporting guide that was refined through engagement and consultation activities with teachers.
