NSW curriculum development
The Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW (BOSTES) is responsible for developing syllabuses to be taught in New South Wales schools, from Kindergarten through to Year 12.
BOSTES is committed to a syllabus development process that provides opportunities for consultation, establishes achievable timelines and ensures quality syllabuses.
Curriculum Projects
Following BOSTES established and consultative syllabus development process, the Curriculum and Assessment Standards Directorate currently lead a number of projects in the following areas:
- Stage 6 (11–12) syllabus development
- K–10 syllabus development
- STEM support material (process beginning in 2016)
- Mathematics STEM Pathways (process beginning in 2016)
Schools and teachers are assured that decisions about implementation of new syllabuses will only occur after extensive consultation.
Syllabus development process
The syllabus development process, using a project management approach, involves four phases:
- Syllabus review
- Writing brief development
- Syllabus development
- Implementation
Read more about the NSW syllabus development process.
Curriculum Framework
The K–10 Curriculum Framework establishes parameters for BOSTES curriculum for the compulsory years of schooling. It identifies the learning essential for all students and guides the evaluation and revision of individual syllabuses.
Statement of Values
BOSTES acknowledges the central role of education for intellectual, physical, social, moral and spiritual development. BOSTES Statement of Values was endorsed in 2010 and guides the development of syllabuses and other materials.
Examination specifications and assessment principals
In 2004, BOSTES developed a set of principles designed to assist syllabus writers in the development of internal assessment guidelines and examination specifications when developing or revising HSC courses.
Read more about the Principles for developing examination specifications and assessment guidelines.
NSW Government