Curriculum

The Queensland Education system has a holistic approach to learning - from the early phase through to middle and senior schooling, further education, training and employment.

The curriculum that is taught across the phases of learning in Queensland schools is developed by the Queensland Studies Authority(QSA) . Curriculum is the planned learning that a school offers and delivers. Teachers decide how best to plan and deliver the curriculum to ensure all students have opportunities to engage in meaningful learning and achievement.

From 2012, the Australian Curriculum in English, mathematics and science will replace the current Queensland curriculum in these subjects for Prep to Year 10. The Australian Curriculum in history will replace the current history curriculum in 2013 for Prep to Year 10.

Kindergarten

Children are invited to attend kindergarten before starting full-time school. Children must turn four years old by 30 June in the year they attend kindergarten. For more information about kindergartens in Queensland visit the Office of Early Childhood Education and Care website.

Early phase of learning

The Early Phase of Learning, Prep to Year 3, introduces children to the world of formal education. Education Queensland aims to provide positive experiences that engage young minds and promote positive dispositions to lifelong learning. Research has shown a positive outlook helps to maximise early learning and development.

State primary schools offer a full-time, non-compulsory Preparatory Year of education before Year 1. Children must turn five by 30 June in the year they begin the Preparatory Year.

Children must be six by 30 June in the year they enrol in Year 1.

Enrolment inquiries should be made directly to your local school.

All Australian states and territories offer a full-time year of education for children before Year 1.

The Preparatory Year is not compulsory. Parents may choose to keep their children at home or to send them to an alternative early childhood education and care service.

For further information on Prep Year go to the Student Services website.

Middle phase of learning

Years 4 to 9 spans traditional primary and secondary schooling and are a time of great physical, social, emotional and intellectual change for young people.

Leadership, effective teaching and flexible and responsive approaches help ensure young people stay enthusiastic and engaged in learning. To assist this, class sizes have been reduced in Years 4 to 10 from 30 to 28 students, giving Queensland the smallest class size targets in the middle years of schooling.

Tips for parents and students during the Middle Phase of Learning.

Senior phase of learning

Our education and training system aims to set the highest standards of excellence and academic rigour by engaging young people with a challenging and diverse curriculum.

In Queensland it is compulsory for young people to stay at school until they finish Year 10 or turn 16, whichever comes first. Young people are then required to participate in education and training for:

a further two years, or
until they gain a Queensland Certificate of Education, or
until they gain a Certificate III vocational qualification, or
until they turn 17.

Schools and TAFEs are offering young people more choice and greater flexibility in the senior phase of learning . Students can choose from vocationally-based subjects and courses, traineeships and apprenticeships, and university subjects.

Year 10 students throughout the state prepare Senior Education and Training (SET) Plans with the help of teachers and parents. These plans map out a young person's career and education goals and the learning options available to them in the senior phase of learning. Students also have a learning account created for them with the Queensland Studies Authority. Young people are able to access their own learning accounts over the internet to check their progress.

A Youth Support Coordinator program has been established across Queensland to assist young people. These 113 coordinators work with schools, TAFEs and the community to coordinate services to help young people resolve personal and family issues during the senior phase.

Further information on senior phase of learning and training pathways can be found on the Education Queensland website.

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This page was last reviewed on 17 Jun 2011