Redeveloping The Primary School Curriculum

Following the publication of the Primary Curriculum Framework in 2023, the redevelopment of the full primary school curriculum is now nearing completion. Work is continuing on finalising the curriculum areas of Arts Education; Language (including Modern Foreign Languages); Science, Technology and Engineering Education; Social and Environmental Education; and Wellbeing. 

A significant consultation took place last year which provided an opportunity for teachers, school leaders, children, parents and members of the public to have their say on draft specifications for the curriculum areas. Two consultation reports (see below), one focusing on the consultation with children and the other presenting feedback from all other aspects of the consultation, were published in December. NCCA is grateful to all who participated and provided feedback during the consultation.

• Report on the consultation on the Draft Primary Curriculum Specifications – this report presents feedback specific to each draft curriculum specification, as well as over-arching themes across all five areas. 
• Consultation with Children on the Draft Primary Curriculum Specifications - compiled by a team from Marino Institute of Education, this report summarises what children told us about the curriculum.

The findings from the consultation are informing the finalisation of the curriculum specifications with September 2025 ear-marked for the launch and publication of the curriculum. 

More information about the redevelopment journey can be found on the NCCA primary webpage.