Records of the National Curriculum Council

FW

1988-1993

Records of the National Curriculum Council (NCC) relating to the administration and review of the national curriculum.

Minutes of the main Council are in FW 3, with agenda and papers in FW 4. Agenda, minutes and papers of the various committees are in FW 5. The Council's Annual reports are in FW 1, with circulars distributed by the Council in FW 2

Public Record(s)

English

5 series

Subject to 10 year closure unless otherwise stated

From 1997 School Curriculum and Assessment Authority

Topics

Education

Records previously transferred to the Public Record Office from the National Curriculum Council from 1991.

The National Curriculum Council (NCC) was one of three bodies created under the Education Reform Act 1988 to help in implementing the national curriculum and its assessment arrangements. The others were the Curriculum Council for Wales (CCW) and the Schools Examination and Assessment Council (SEAC) for England and Wales. The National Curriculum Council, together with SEAC and CCW, were wound up by the Education Act 1993.

The central functions of the NCC were to keep all aspects of the curriculum for county and local authority, voluntary, grant-maintained and maintained special schools under review and to advise the Secretary of State on matters concerning the national curriculum. It was also required to assist the Secretary of State in carrying out research projects into curriculum matters and to publish and disseminate reports as requested.

The national curriculum itself was first specifically mentioned early in 1987 and its introduction was made mandatory by the Education Reform Act 1988. Working groups were set up by the Secretary of State to draw up proposals for attainment targets and programmes of study in each foundation subject. The NCC was responsible for ensuring that proper consultation was carried out before these proposals were introduced into schools.