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Schools in Wales should consider partnering with schools in Scotland as a new national curriculum is developed here.

Four head teachers working in schools in the South-East Wales consortium – known as the Education Achievement Service (EAS) – are suggesting that stronger links with Scotland could prove beneficial as Wales prepares to overhaul what and how children learn in the classroom.

A new national curriculum for Wales will be designed and available to schools by September 2018.

What's the curriculum about?

When implemented it will see key stages ditched and replaced with “progression steps” to provide reference points and a “road map” for pupils according to their individual needs.

Gareth Evans: The nine big issues facing Wales' new national curriculum

The blueprint for Wales’ new curriculum is influenced by similar reform in Scotland and its author, education expert Professor Graham Donaldson, was head of Scotland’s inspectorate from 2002 to 2010.

The key Scotland visit

Prof Donaldson was instrumental in the development of the Scottish Government’s curriculum reform programme, Curriculum for Excellence, and Education Minister Huw Lewis has made no secret of his desire to mirror policy north of the border.

Everything you need to know about Wales' new school curriculum

It was with that in mind that the EAS paid for four head teachers to travel to Scotland on a fact-finding exercise:

John Kendall, from Risca Community Comprehensive School

Sue Witchell, from Fleur de Lis and Pengam primary schools

Rebecca Collins, from St Cenydd Community School

Andrew Brasington, from Coed Y Garn Primary School

The delegation visited the University of Stirling, three primary schools and three secondaries and its suggestions are based on subsequent meetings with students and staff.

What the report says

“The principles of Curriculum for Excellence are widely accepted and well thought of by the profession.

“Implementation has been challenging for some and caused some frustrations which are only now being overcome.

“Limited time was provided for extra planning in the early stages – many would like to see more time given over to teacher training/collaborative activities.

“Teacher autonomy has been welcomed, as was the opportunity to meet local need at local level.

“However there was little national structure to allow the curriculum to be planned by the profession as a whole.

“There is no categorisation of schools in Scotland nor are there government-published league tables.”

What's going on in Scotland?

The report said schools in Scotland have been careful to manage the potential stress caused by change and, while pastoral transition is excellent, many feel there remains a divide between the primary and secondary sectors.

Related: The Donaldson report at-a-glance guide

It makes a number of suggestions for schools to consider before and during the implementation of Wales’ new curriculum including:

ensure pupils and their families are made aware of any curriculum developments and changes;

encourage academic research and investigation to build evidence for a school’s curriculum strategy;

and consider joining with a partner school in Scotland.

The report also recommends that regional education consortia and local authorities consider the benefits of collaboration and building partnerships with similar organisations in Scotland.

The EAS provides school improvement services across Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen and is widely-regarded the best of Wales’ four regional consortia.