Irrespective of national requirements, curriculum planning should be influenced by the overall philosophy and specific aims of a school. Many schools emphasise personal development and state their aim to ensure that each student achieves their potential and that each becomes a well-rounded, successful, caring and knowledgeable person. The Curriculum for Wales (Welsh Government, 2020) sets out four key purposes for the curriculum, which should enable children and young people to be:
ambitious, capable learners, ready to learn throughout their lives
enterprising, creative contributors, ready to play a full part in life and work
ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the world
healthy, confident individuals, ready to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of society.
Similar holistic ambitions for young people’s development underpin Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence (Scottish Government, 2006, 2019) intended to enable every young person to be a ‘successful learner, confident individual, responsible citizen and effective contributor’. While the stated aims of the 2014 National Curriculum in England are undoubtedly focused more narrowly on introducing young people to ‘essential knowledge’, that knowledge is intended not only to equip them as ‘educated citizens’ but also to ‘engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement’ (DfE, 2014). See these national curriculum models:
