Written question asked by Ian Gibson (Labour) on Monday, 26 July 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 October 1999. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 October 1999 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, with whom consultations were held in the revision of the experiments carried out in the National Curriculum for Science in Schools. - Inc ref to QCA's Report "Developing the School Curriculum", published on www.qca.org.uk and revised curriculum handbooks to be placed in library (Dep 99/1794).

Answer: Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment with whom consultations were held in the revision of the experiments carried out in the National Curriculum for Science in Schools. [93709] Jacqui Smith: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority consulted a number of science associations, prior to preparing advice to the Secretary of State on proposals for a revised science curriculum. A full list of those consulted is contained at Annex 2 of the QCA's Report "Developing the School Curriculum", which was published on QCA's website www.qca.org.uk following the Secretary of State's announcement on 9 September. In addition all local authorities, teachers, governors, parents and other interested parties were able to contribute to the public consultation on the revised National Curriculum which ran from May to July this year. On the basis of the QCA's advice we have strengthened the role of Scientific Enquiry within the Science curriculum by establishing it as a separate Attainment Target. Revised curriculum handbooks will be sent to schools in November and copies will be placed in the Library.

Secondary information