ALCS welcomes Government’s curriculum review

The Government’s review of the school curriculum in England includes a number of encouraging recommendations that will encourage the use of a broader range of classroom resources, including:

• A knowledge-rich approach that emphasises a deeper understanding of concepts
• A curriculum that reflects the diversity of society
• The opportunity for teaching to represent a wider range of diverse perspectives
• Greater teacher autonomy and creativity to ensure students needs are met

These recommendations acknowledge the importance of students’ access to a broad and diverse range of resources, which is only made possible by the rich output of UK writers.

Writers across the UK make it possible for students to access a deep and complex understanding of the world. It is vital that our education system supports authors to ensure that students continue to have access to a diverse knowledge-rich education. This is why we have helped establish projects such as RETEACH to support teachers towards these goals.

ALCS Deputy CEO Richard Combes says: “Despite persistently low earnings the UK’s authors make an irreplaceable contribution to the education sector producing an unparalleled breadth and diversity of material for teachers and students. At a time when young people are increasingly exposed to unreliable and inauthentic content, high-quality human-authored work has never been more valuable. As the reformed curriculum is rolled out, we urge the Government to ensure that the necessary rights and remuneration structures are in place to enable authors to continue their vital work in informing, educating and inspiring students across the UK.”

Read the report in full here.