Ingham State School

At Ingham State School we teach all the Key Learning Areas (KLAs): English, Mathematics, Studies of Society and the Environment, Science, Health and Physical Education, The Arts, Languages Other Than English (Italian) and Technology.

The Essential Learnings Curriculum underpins all key learning areas and provides a framework for planning, assessment and reporting in all Queensland Schools.

Essential Learnings identify what should be taught and what is important for students to have opportunities to know and be able to do. They describe the ways of working, and knowledge and understanding that students need for ongoing learning, social and personal competence, and participation in a democratic society. The Essential Learnings provide:

• clarity for teachers about what to teach
• assurance for teachers that the essential elements of each key learning area (KLA) are being addressed, and that their students are learning what the wider community values
• assurance for parents/carers that a core curriculum will be offered in all Queensland schools.

The Essential Learnings inform curriculum planning. They constitute a rich set of learnings; an agreed core (not a minimum requirement) that students are able to access, and which schools will use to generate school-based curriculum. Essential Learnings are the part of the curriculum that is to be common across all schools; however, schools will continue to have the flexibility to organise their curriculum to meet the needs of students according to local contexts. Essential Learnings are available for the eight KLA Syllabuses.

Why specify Essential Learnings? All young Queenslanders need to develop knowledge, skills and capabilities to enjoy life and to contribute to society. Schooling supports students to attain standards of disciplinary knowledge and to develop a range of capabilities to act in the world. The Essential Learnings support teachers and students in achieving these educational outcomes. The Essential Learnings support the development of:

• deep understandings of key disciplinary concepts, facts and procedures
• the processes students use to develop and demonstrate their understandings
• the capabilities students need to work with knowledge, grow and manage themselves, and become active participants in local and global contexts.
• Young people also need opportunities to pursue their own interests and local community activities. The Essential Learnings specify only those things that all students need to learn, leaving schools with the flexibility to organise their curriculum to meet their students' needs.