The National Curriculum – What is it used for?

Answer Q1

The National Curriculum is a programme of study that identifies the subjects that every pupil should be taught and the knowledge, understanding and skills that all pupils should acquire in those subjects. The purpose of the National Curriculum is to ensure that there is a nationwide consistency of content and standards in education.

Answer Q2

A scheme of work is a plan that will put the National Curriculum outcomes for a topic into greater context and map out when and how content is to be covered over a specific time. It will often exist alongside a curriculum map for a subject and provide even greater detail for teachers as to what to teach, when and how. A scheme of work may be free or it may be purchased by a school.