Streaming and Subject Specialism at Key Stage 2: a survey in two local authorities

Summary Following recent debates about the most appropriate form of school and curriculum organisation at Key Stage 2, a survey was conducted of the practice and views of 246 headteachers in two local education authorities (LEAs) with regard to streaming and subject specialism. The results show that there is very little streaming by ability and, except for music, very little subject specialist teaching. Practice with regard to curriculum integration was more varied although hardly any schools operated an entirely integrated curriculum. Only a minority of heads thought it would be possible to introduce streaming or specialist teaching in their schools, but the heads of the largest schools were very much more likely to think this possible. Heads’ views on these matters were considerably more varied than their practice, with a substantial minority of heads seeing value in streaming and in subject specialist teaching. The study shows the complexity of the relationship between educational beliefs and practices and shows that there is considerable potential for experiment with more varied practice.