Information Literacy: relevant aspects of the school curriculum in Wales IL Conference, Gregynog, Nov. 30/Dec

Revised National Curriculum 2008 Non-statutory Skills framework for 3 to 19 year-olds in Wales this identifies elements of progression in the skills of Developing thinking, communication, ICT and number the skills framework underpins all statutory National Curriculum subject orders; elements therefore become statutory

Subject orders Revised National Curriculum orders for all subjects of the curriculum published in 2008, as well as Frameworks for Personal and social education and for Children’s learning for 3 to 7 year-olds in Wales Presented in terms of Skills and Range where the Range section outlines opportunities for the development and application of the skills identified Schools have flexibility in the organisation of the curriculum

Orders for English, Welsh, Welsh Second language and ICT are the most relevant to the development of information literacy though other subjects will play a part In English and Welsh, there are three attainment targets: Speaking and Listening Reading Writing The three language modes should be taught in an integrated way Progression is identified across Key Stages 2, 3 and 4 Broad level descriptions (1 to 8 + EP) are provided for summative assessment of progress in all NC subjects.

The ICT order requires learners to be taught to: find analyse communicate present and share information and to use ICT comfortably, safely and responsibly

Guidance materials English Guidance for Key Stages 2 and 3, DCELLS, November 2008 A booklet and DVD focusing on the implementation of the revised National Curriculum Order for English in Wales. It contains: key messages about teaching and learning in English a collection of learner profiles designed to show the use of the level descriptions in coming to judgements about a learner’s overall performance at the end of a key stage. Similar guidance is available relating to the NC Orders for Welsh and ICT

Two major publications to be launched in March 2010 Guidance on the teaching of reading : INSET opportunities for teachers of all subjects across the curriculum at key stages 2 and 3 and Guidance on the teaching of writing : INSET opportunities for teachers of all subjects across the curriculum at key stages 2 and 3

Supporting learners’ higher-order literacy skills, DCELLS, A publication exemplifying learners’ work at Levels 7, 8 and EP with commentaries that identify strengths and areas for possible development Supporting learners’ higher-order literacy skills across the curriculum, DCELLS, planned for publication in March A publication exemplifying learners’ work at levels 7, 8 and EP in art and design, D&T, history and geography with commentaries identifying how the learners’ literacy skills affect their subject- specific performance.

Qualifications The Credit and Qualification Framework for Wales encompasses: The National Qualifications Framework (GCSEs; GCEs; Key Skills currently; Essential Skills Wales, from 2010) Qualifications Credit Framework (vocational qualifications) HE Lifelong learning

Essential Skills Wales A new suite of skills qualifications to be launched in September 2010 Comprises Communication, Application of Number and ICT Available from Entry Level (1, 2 and 3) up to Level 4 Replaces current Key Skills (Comm., App. of Number and ICT) and Basic Skills (Adult Literacy, Numeracy and Skills for Life ICT)

Assessed via a portfolio of evidence, internally assessed and externally moderated/verified by awarding bodies Standards can be viewed on DCELLS pages of WAG website at: ls/learningproviders/essentialskillswales

The Essential Skills Wales will be published in hard copy at the end of this year Amplification and guidance documents will be published at the same time Wider Key Skills (Working with others, Improving own learning and Problem solving) will be available until August 2012 New and revised standards for WKS will be developed and form part of ESW from September 2012

Aims for learners In all these aspects, the overall aim of the school curriculum is to produce learners who are: –motivated and effective –increasingly independent –able to make use of new technologies –able to learn and apply new skills effectively throughout their lives - in other words, learners who are: –information literate