The Primary Curriculum Framework: Where are we?

Guest school leader author, Aoife, breaks down how she has been facilitating the transition to the new Primary Curriculum Framework and shares some ideas and resources for keeping staff informed and aware of the changes and opportunities.

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The Department of Education recently released updated information in relation to the PCF and the next steps involved in the enactment of the redeveloped curriculum.

You can read the latest (3rd) Communication here.

https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/en_3rd-communication-re-primary-curriculum.pdf

The other communications are also online. A useful bookmark!

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/policy-information/new-primary-curriculum/#communications-to-schools

You might remember, last year, we watched a video (11 minutes) in relation the new framework. If you want to refresh your memory, you will find the video here: https://curriculumonline.ie/primary/the-primary-curriculum-framework/

How we are tackling the change in our school

Read on for a summary of the next steps we are taking in relation to the PCF.

I particularly liked this image from the document as it really shows us where we are at now and where we have come from.

This image captures the recent developments in the primary curriculum in Ireland, from the rollout of the Primary Language Curriculum to the Maths Curriculum. It is ideal for staffroom presentation and discussion.

The good news is that the professional learning promised here looks to be fulfilled in 2025-2026 and beyond.

Our Maths Curriculum Days, facilitated by OIDE, were a huge success so we will look forward to more high-quality training in relation to the developing PCF.

2025-2026 – a time to reflect

So what do we, as teachers, need to know for September in 2025-2026?

The Dept are calling this next academic year a ‘pause’ year. This gives us all a chance to get to grips with the changes in the new framework.

OIDE school closures will provide training to staff and it looks like there will be lots of opportunities to upskill in relation the PCF online too.

The five new subject area specifications will also be released in September.

Keeping everyone in school informed

I made this handy table to give everyone in school an idea of what’s to come.

Here is a version in MS Word™ you can use or edit.

Key ideas shared as visuals

There are two key visuals from the Primary Curriculum Framework that can be printed and laminated. These cover the Key Competencies and the progressive structure of the curriculum and subjects across the years.

I am going to ask every teacher to have a copy on or near their desk as a reference. I hope that this will begin to get our team adjusted to the new subject areas and the key principles of the PCF.

If our team are familiar with these by the end of the school year, that would be fantastic.

You can print these on one side of A4. You could even put the implementation summary table above on the other side!

Third language. What will it involve for us?

The redeveloped Primary Curriculum Framework also includes a third language for children in Stages 3 and 4.

This obviously caused concern for teachers when it was initially announced. Fortunately, we found the guidelines and frequently asked questions in the MFL FAQ document to be quite reassuring and it allows for a great deal of school autonomy in how we can roll this out.

You can read the Modern Foreign Languages FAQ here:

https://ncca.ie/media/6550/faq-final-eng.pdf

The key points in relation to the Modern Foreign Languages are: 

• Children at Stage 3 (3^rd and 4^th classes) should be learning about language and cultural awareness.

• Children at Stage 4 (5^th and 6^th classes) should be learning very basic to basic communication in the chosen language.

• 1 hour per week is allotted to the third language plus flexible time, if schools wish.

• OIDE support will be provided, along with online toolkits.  

• The school has the autonomy to choose which language(s) to choose, based on staff competency.  

• As the requirement is for very basic to basic communication, there will be no exemptions from the third language.  

Final thoughts

I hope that you have found something useful to help you prepare for the enactment of the new curriculum. It appears to me that a slow and steady approach is being taken. This is very reassuring to school leaders.  

I believe that the key message of the framework – that children will be active and agentic in their own learning, is the right move and in the direction that we need.