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Curriculum
Independent schools in Queensland are required to plan, teach, assess and report on the prescribed curriculum in line with requirements from the Queensland and Australian governments. Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) is committed to supporting teachers and school leaders with up-to-date information, resources and specialist services to assist with the implementation of the Australian Curriculum.
From Prep to Year 10, independent schools implement the Australian Curriculum or one of the three curricula recognised by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA): the Steiner curriculum, the Montessori curriculum, or the International Baccalaureate.
In the senior years, students must be progressing towards either a Queensland Certificate of Education, a Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement, or the International Baccalaureate.
Curriculum at the state and national level
Australian Curriculum
The Australian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (ACARA) has released the Foundation to Year 10 Australian Curriculum v9.0.
Queensland Certificate of Education Reviews
Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority is currently undertaking two reviews of the new Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). The first review relates to the administrative processes and procedures supporting the implementation of the new QCE system. The second examines the senior syllabuses to ensure they reflect best practice and remain fit-for-purpose.
Applied syllabuses have now been reviewed and will be available for implementation from end of 2024. General syllabuses are currently being reviewed & will be available for implementation by end of 2025.
Find out details on all curriculum reviews and the curriculum and assessment support available for member schools on the ISQ Member Hub.
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ISQ has developed progression points to support teachers with the implementation of version 9.0 of the Australian Curriculum. This work has been completed with support from officers at ACARA.
Schools are encouraged to consider how the progression points could be used to:
- diagnose through formative assessment, the capabilities, strengths and weaknesses of individual students
- plan teaching programs to meet the needs of individuals and groups of students
- formally assess the progress of individuals and groups of students
- report to parents on the achievements of their children against the Australian curriculum.
An example of the progression points for Digital Technologies, English and Mathematics is available here. Note that the “demonstrating” column in these progression points accurately reflects the expectations of version 8 of the Australian Curriculum achievement standards, with more detail and examples included.
The new v9.0 ISQ Progression Points are available for member schools on the ISQ Member Hub.
Progression Points (v8): Digital Technologies | English | Mathematics
Watch Now
ISQ's Big Ideas Summit
It's exciting times and interesting times, but still lots that need to be changed, so I think these days build that community of passionate people who want to push boundaries and make changes.
The annual Big Ideas Summit brings together over 150 educators to connect, share and develop innovative ideas that challenge the fundamentals of curriculum delivery.
The event encourages the collective sharing of ideas, feedback and solutions in practice to create a shared vision for advancing teaching and learning in Queensland independent schools.
Educators connect in an environment of curiosity and wonder about the future of education and discover the collective efficacy of new architecture, responsive learning environments and emerging technologies on student learning.