A University of Worcester lecturer will be involved in shaping how children in England learn art in a redesign of education nationally following an independent review of the national curriculum.
Kaytie Holdstock, a Primary Education Lecturer and specialist in Primary Art Education at the University, has been selected to draft the art and design curriculum for pupils in England aged between 5 and 11; as part of the new national curriculum that will come into effect from 2028.
“We’re looking forward to being able to provide much needed clarity for teachers,” said Kaytie. “For some teachers, that gives freedom and flexibility, but for others it can be daunting because there’s little guidance on what they should be teaching.”
Kaytie worked in primary schools for almost twenty years before joining the Institute of Education at the University of Worcester in 2021.
Kaytie will work alongside the National Society for the Education of Art and Design (NSEAD) who will be leading on the GCSE curriculum, and with AccessArt, who will be redesigning the curriculum for Key Stage Three (pre GCSE).
She said: “Everyone working on the new art curriculum is in alignment; we’re all on the same page about what needs to be different and how teachers can be better supported.”
“The curriculum we’re creating will aim for more specificity and progression,” she said. “We want to make sure we’re giving enough guidance for teachers who aren’t specialists, without clipping the wings of the teachers who are.”
For Kaytie, being selected to take the lead on designing a curriculum which will impact children and their first experience of art education is an honour and a big responsibility.
“This is career-defining,” she said. “It’s the highest accolade someone in my position could possibly be given, and I feel very privileged to be working with some brilliant people who’ll be working on their own areas of the curriculum.”
Dr Rachael Paige, Head of the Institute of Education at the University, said: “Kaytie’s appointment to help shape the national art and design curriculum is a testament to her exceptional expertise and passion for art education.”
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email [email protected]