Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Soley (Labour). It was answered on Thursday, 26 February 2009.

Schools: Primary Curriculum

Question: My Lords, would the Minister consider the possibilities of using exhibitions, such as the excellent exhibition at the British Library on the history of British freedoms, which are so important? There are also exhibitions on science. That is part of what we should include in the consultation, to ensure that science and history are given a high priority in primary education.

Answer: My Lords, my noble friend gives me the opportunity to say that Sir Jim was very clear in his interim report that there has been concern about the focus on subjects such as history and whether we may be returning to the days when there was no subject teaching. He has been clear that that should not be an either/or choice. I believe that we should make the most of the excellent and very popular museums that we have in London. Also, as I said, Sir Jim is consulting subject experts, who are very much a part of our museum tradition.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 708 c306
Session: 2008-09
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Curriculum Public consultation Primary education Primary Curriculum Review
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk