Supporting Education Recovery: In-class Curriculum Resources

The Department for Education are seeking a supplier or consortium of suppliers, to deliver a range of in-class curriculum resources which shall be freely available, accessible on demand and non-mandatory for schools to use, via the Contractor's hosting platform. The in-class curriculum resources are to be available for use by schools and teachers by 06 September 2021 and 03 January 2022. The initial contract term shall cover a short implementation period from contract award and the entirety of Academic Year 2021/22. The Department expects that it may, during the initial contract term and/or a potential extension (if taken), have a requirement for further In-class Curriculum Resources in additional subject areas and key stages, which shall be reviewed

Additional information: Effective curriculum design is a complex undertaking, requiring specialist expertise. Ofsted have often reported on the quality of curriculum planning in schools, concluding that a more thoughtful approach to curriculum is often needed. The Department's teacher development reforms reflect this challenge, with our new ITT Core Content Framework, Early Career Framework and National Professional Qualifications, ensuring that teachers and school leaders gain the necessary curriculum planning expertise throughout and at the right stage of their career. As a result of COVID-19, the wider education landscape has changed and learning loss is prevalent and extensive. The need for high-quality curriculum resources has increased and there is also a need to support teachers with effective curriculum planning to help drive positive pupil outcomes and further education recovery.

The supplier will be expected to design, develop and deliver high-quality curriculum resources across a range of subject areas and key stages, using their curriculum and pedagogical expertise to support teachers with high-quality planning, a reduction in workload and effective implementation of the National Curriculum.

The Department is seeking in-class curriculum resources in mathematics, English and science, Key Stages 1, 2, and 3 as a minimum. The Department expects that it may, during the initial contract term and/or a 12-month potential extension (if taken), have a requirement for further in-class curriculum resources in additional subject areas and key stages, which shall be reviewed.

In-class curriculum resources shall include: - Key Stage, year and unit level overviews for each subject area. - Sequenced units and lessons, including a narrative and rationale for the sequencing. - Lesson slides, including appropriate content, formative assessment, independent tasks, stretching text, questioning and specialist vocabulary. - Accompanying workbooks and worksheets (or equivalent) for pupils, including stretching text. - Accompanying guidance for teachers on how to use the resources effectively (see section 4.10). - Accompanying optional homework, to consolidate prior knowledge and support appropriate pre-learning gaps, rather than introduce new content.

The Department is also seeking the supplier to provide and maintain a suitable, digital platform on which all in-class curriculum resources shall be hosted and be made freely accessible to teachers in England, at all times during the contract. The supplier will be responsible for collaborating with the Department's policy teams, appropriately drawing on sector expertise, as well as conducting user testing and collecting user feedback to inform development and ongoing delivery.