§ 20. Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will initiate discussions with interested parties about the suitability of the present curriculum for pupils intending to enter industry.
§ Dr. BoysonYes. This is one of the matters to be considered in the consultations on a national framework for the curriculum to be held early next year.
§ 39. Mr. Bob Dunnasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the findings of the secondary schools survey undertaken by his Department support the view that there should be a basic or common core curriculum in the United Kingdom's schools; and what steps he now proposes to take.
§ Mr. Mark CarlisleThe survey by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of "Aspects of secondary education in England" suggested that a more explicit rationale of the curriculum as a whole should be developed, and that all pupils needed to carry forward a broader programme of studies up to the age of 16. These and related issues will be pursued in the forthcoming consultations aimed at seeking a national consensus on a framework for the curriculum. Questions about the school curriculum outside England are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales, for Scotland and for Northern Ireland, respectively.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on advice that Her Majesty's Government propose to give regarding a core curriculum.
§ Mr. Mark CarlisleI expect to issue a consultative document on a framework for the school curriculum early in January. We shall be consulting widely on this in order to seek a national consensus on major curricular issues.