It is expected that workplaces and HEIs will implement continuous review and improvement of delivery within the bounds of the curriculum.
What elements are reviewed as part of the review process?
The curriculum review process considers 2 elements of the curriculum. These are:
- The curriculum content – this refers to all of the subject specific content that ‘fills’ the programme structure and defines the specialty nature of the programme. For example, the content in a module.
- The programme structure – this refers to the overarching format of the programme, the template which defines the shape and size of the programme. The programme structure is applied universally to all programmes of the same type. For example, the programme structure includes the numbers and types of modules and the content that should be included in those modules.
How does the curriculum review process work?
Curriculum review processes are facilitated by the school with specialty specific scientific leadership provided by a Curriculum Lead Editor for the specialty programme. Find out how to get involved in curriculum review.
In order to inform the review process, the school collates feedback on curriculum. Feedback is collected continuously and the opportunity to provide feedback is open to all stakeholders in the Curriculum Library.
Two processes are applied to curriculum.
Annual review
Annual review is applied on a yearly basis. Stakeholder comments are reviewed by the Curriculum Lead Editor for the specialty. The Lead Editor makes decisions on any change to the curriculum required based on stakeholder comments and their own knowledge of the future needs of the profession and the workforce. Universities delivering the programme will also be invited to request changes.
Periodic review
Periodic review of curriculum content is carried out less frequently. The timescale for applying periodic review is determined by the length of the programme being reviewed. Periodic review is routinely carried out when at least 1 cohort has completed the programme and before 2 cohorts have completed. Lead Editors may also trigger a periodic review during an annual review, if they feel it is required.
Periodic review of curriculum content is carried out by a group of specialty stakeholders who form a Curriculum Review Group. The Group is led by the Curriculum Lead Editor and includes stakeholders’ representative of the diversity of the workforce including STP alumni, representatives from HEIs delivering the programme, and where required, professional body representatives and other healthcare professionals or stakeholders involved in the practice of the specialty. Find out how to get involved in curriculum review. The Group reviews the feedback gathered and changes made to the curriculum since the last periodic review to determine if change is required to the curriculum. Where change is required, this is agreed and developed by the Group collectively.
Periodic review of the programme structure is carried out by the school a minimum of every 10 years for level 7 programmes.
Core curriculum
The Curriculum Lead Editor role for core curriculum content shared by multiple specialties, is held by the school’s Training Programme Directors and EDI Officer.
When are changes applied to the curriculum?
Changes identified by either process are categorised as ‘minor’ where the change has a limited impact, or ‘major’ where the change has a more significant impact on the curriculum. Where major changes are made, feedback from stakeholders on the change is also sought before the change is applied.
Changes required to the curriculum are implemented for the next possible cohort. In principle, programmes in delivery are not changed. Trainees will finish the programme they started and are not subject to changed curricula.
Current curricula for delivery can be found in the Curriculum Library. The results of the annual and periodic review process, including feedback submitted is available here.