ABSTRACT
The introduction to the National Curriculum (DES 1988a) and subsequent Acts has caused significant changes in teaching and learning and in the management of schools. These changes include a compulsory core curriculum for pupils aged 5–16, comprising English, mathematics and science. All schools have had to improve their performance; in secondary school this is measured by the number of pupils achieving five A–C grades in the GCSE and, at the end of Key Stage 3, the number achieving Level 5 in the Standard Assessment Tasks. Other judgements are also made, but it is to the academic standards that OFSTED and parents pay prime attention.
