The UK National Curriculum Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The UK National Curriculum - Essay Example For the essay to critically analyze the National Curriculum, it will try to elaborate why the curriculum was deemed necessary, examine the different negative and positive consequences related with the curriculum implementation since 1988. Outline of the UK National Curriculum According to National Curriculum Council (1991), the National Curriculum was adopted with the main purpose to standardize the content that is taught in State Schools. This was meant to enable assessment which consequently will enable the league table compilation. The league table details the statistics of assessment for each school. Moreover, league tables combined with the provision for a choice to parents in assigning schools for their children were created with the main intention for free market encouragement. This allowed parents to choose schools for their children based on the ability to teach the National Curriculum (National Curriculum Council (Great Britain) 1989). The UK National Curriculum was structu red in key stages and based on subjects. This covered the core subjects such as mathematics, English and science and the foundation subjects such as Geography, Art, Music, History, Technology and Physical Education. Moreover, the subjects were being studied from 5 to 16 years of age (Great Britain 1997). It was mandatory for each school to teach Religious Studies and other areas such as health, personal and social education. When and why the curriculum developed The department of science and education issued a consultation document that outlines the national curriculum. After consultation, the parliament passed the education reform act of 1988 which established the National Curriculum framework. The implementation of the curriculum commenced in 1989 and continued till mid 1990s (Walker & Soltis 2004). Great Britain (1999) points out that the first phase of the four key stages testing was finished in 1991. In addition, the school inspection responsibility was transferred from the ins pectors of her majesty and the inspection teams of the local authority in 1993 to inspection of independent teams. The new work was to be coordinated by the new depart of state. According to Wales (2001), the documentation of the National Curriculum outlines the two main aims for the development of the National Curriculum. The first aim was that the school curriculum should strive to give all pupils opportunities to learn and excel (Great Britain 1997). National Curriculum Council (Great Britain) elaborates the aim that the schools are entitled to develop commitment to, enjoyment and learning as a mode of stimulating and encouraging the best progress possible and the best pupil’s attainment. Moreover, the curriculum should build interests, strengths and experience of the pupils and develop to their capacity their confidence to enable the pupils learn and independently work in collaboration. The curriculum is also intended to equip the pupils with learning skills which are ess ential such as numeracy, literacy and information and communication technology and lastly to promote an inquisitive mind and capacity to rationally think (Duckett, Sixsmith & Kagan 2008). National Curriculum Council (Great Britain) (1991) points out that the school curriculum should help the pupil’s development of sense of identity through understanding and knowledge of the spiritual, social, moral and cultural heritages of the diverse society of

Stylistic Devices in the Novel The Big Fish Essay

Stylistic Devices in the Novel The Big Fish - Essay Example To begin with, Wallace uses the first person narration technique to deliver his message to the audience. This is evidenced the first chapter of the novel in which the narrator’s father was born. As Edward narrates, his father was born during one of the worst summers, drought and famines that were experienced in the land. In his own words, he explains how his father was born at a time when there was a scarcity of food. He also illustrates his feelings about the birth of his father which he attributes to be a blessing since it occurred on a rainy and cloudy day. At the same time, William Bloom also uses first-person narration in the first chapter of the book to demonstrate the cordial relationship his father had with animals. He explains that cows and horses liked his father, and they followed him around; and chicken once laid a mysterious small brown egg on his lap. At one time, he says, â€Å"This is what is meant by last words: they are keys to unlock the afterlife. They're not last words but passwords, and as soon as they're spoken you can go.† This implies that all these could only be ascertained during the death of Edward. William Bloom also uses a lot of symbolism as indicated in chapter one of the Big Fish. The element of symbolism is seen when William equates his father to a big fish. This is used to symbolize that Edward Bloom is an intelligent and knowledgeable man. As a widely read person, he has a wealth of knowledge on philosophy, history, arts and other literary fields. Thus, his knowledge can not be compared to a librarian or any other person, but can only be compared to a big fish. Moreover, it symbolizes that he was a unique person who had an extraordinary ability to communicate to the animals. Therefore, symbolism helped Wallace to portray Edward as a mysterious person who could not be easily understood. In conclusion, the Big Fish is a well-written novel. By making a careful choice of literary devices and effectively using them, Wallace managed to bring  out an outstanding story.