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Learning comes first: shifting the focus from examining to the curriculum
31 Jan 2012
A Cambridge Assessment event held at 1 Birdcage Walk, Westminster, London, SW1

Headline Speakers

This Cambridge Assessment-hosted event debated what a good programme of learning should look like.

Ample evidence shows a curriculum is at the heart of the learning experience a school offers its pupils, and at the heart of the mission and vision of that school. Good curricula develop learners’ understanding, knowledge and skills. So what should a good curriculum – or, a good education – look like?

Presenters included Jon Coles, former Director General for Education Standards, Department of Education, and Dr Nadia Touba, Project Director of Nile Egyptian Schools NES – Egyptian Education Fund, Cabinet of Ministers – Egypt, while Nansi Ellis, Head of Education Policy & Research, ATL; Richard Earp, Education & Skills Manager, National Grid and Dr Stephen Spurr, Headmaster of Westminster School, were among the panellists.

 

Programme
10:00
Bene't Steinberg, Group Director of Public Affairs, Cambridge Assessment
Introduction by Chair

10:05
Simon Lebus, Group Chief Executive of Cambridge Assessment
Setting the context and a historical perspective

10:20
What makes a good education? The subjects, skills, experiences and knowledge needed for employment and for everyday life - Part one
Part 1: Lessons learnt from around the world Roger-Francois Gauthier, Inspector General for Administration of National Education and Research, France, and a UNESCO consultant;

10:21
What makes a good education? The subjects, skills, experiences and knowledge needed for employment and for everyday life - Part one
Part 1: Lessons learnt from around the world Dr Nadia Touba, Project Director of Nile Egyptian Schools NES - Egyptian Education Fund, Cabinet of Ministers - Egypt

10:50
What makes a good education? The subjects, skills, experiences and knowledge needed for employment and for everyday life - Part two
Programmes of learning; the rise of ‘curriculum’ thinking in the UK. The purpose; different types of programme; the benefits and drawbacks Paul Pritchard, Chair of Governors at the JCB Academy; Andrew Hutchinson, Executive Principal of Parkside Federation, Cambridge; Dr Stephen Spurr, Headmaster, Westminster School

11:20
Coffee break
11:35
What makes a good education? The subjects, skills, experiences and knowledge needed for employment and for everyday life - Part three
Panel debate - 'Refocusing education? - chaired by Simon Lebus Nansi Ellis, Head of Education Policy and Research, ATL; Richard Earp, Education & Skills Manager, National Grid; Dale Bassett, Research Director, Reform; Dr Graeme Atherton, Executive Director, Aimhigher

12:55
Jon Coles, former Director General for Education Standards, Department for Education – now Chief Executive of United Church Schools Trust/United Learning Trust
View from Jon Coles

13:15
Bene’t Steinberg
Chair's closing remarks

13:20
Speaker Interviews and Reactions