To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to pilot the new National Curriculum programmes of study being proposed by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority secondary curriculum review. (122036)

There are no plans to pilot the programmes of study being proposed by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority secondary curriculum review. There will be a phased roll out beginning with all Year 7 pupils in September 2008.

The programmes of study have been developed in consultation with teachers, academics, subject specialists and a wide range of curriculum experts. They take into account best practice developed in schools and current research on the principles of effective teaching. They will be further informed by the results of the national consultation.

The impact of the programmes of study will be monitored by Ofsted as part of its regular school inspections, and by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority as part of its ongoing curriculum monitoring activity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2007, Official Report, column 1025W, on secondary education: curriculum, on what occasions the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority met (a) teachers and head teachers, (b) officers from local authorities and (c) parents, governors and pupils in developing the new secondary curriculum. (124853)

In developing the revised secondary curriculum, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) held 13 conferences and subject seminars for teachers, head teachers and officers from local authorities. QCA has an ongoing programme of events to engage with parents, governors and pupils on a range of issues, including the secondary curriculum review.