Delivering the Even Bigger Picture

This is a very simple but effective diagram showing how the ongoing work of a single department, in terms of curriculum change, is part of a far bigger agenda. I would encourage senior leaders to ensure that middle managers never lose sight of what we are trying to achieve – successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens who are able to operate, succeed and contribute to 21st century society.

Building up the Big Picture

The big picture is all well and good but what if you want to try and convey what it means to an audience of teachers or parents who are not familiar with it. Its not going to be instantly clear what on Earth is going on! Fear not, here is a powerpoint file that allows you to build up the ‘big picture’ (current as of June 2007) whilst talking about each component individually. Hopefully this will go some way towards clarifying what is a fairly difficult concept map at a first, second and even third glance (and after that it becomes crushingly simple!! :D)

The Big Picture (Slow Build) Powerpoint File

Another similar, perhaps more powerful resource is this video clip which has Mick Waters – the proud daddy of this fledgling new curriculum – describing what the big picture is, what it means and how it works. Well worth a look!

The Big Picture (Quick Build) Movie Link

QCA – The Big Picture

Around the three key questions that QCA have posed (See below) when considering the philosophical changes required for KS3 curriculum change, a “big picture” for curriculum change has been developed. The diagram goes some way towards unpicking the range of themes and implications behind the deceptively simple questions which should assist schools in their prioritisation, delegation and organisation of the new curriculum. The relevant QCA page with associated links is here.

3 KEY QUESTIONS FOR CURRICULUM CHANGE

1. What are we trying to achieve?

2. How do we organise learning?

3. How well are we achieving our aims?