Curriculum Blog Posts page 3
How Strict Teaching Prescriptions Can Distract Teachers from What Matters Most
Let Teachers Teach: Why Less Prescription Matters This is a really relevant issue for teachers, especially in a climate where curriculum prescription and rigid teaching frameworks can sometimes feel stifling. In the ever-evolving world of education, the call for consistency and accountability has led to a growing trend: prescribing exactly how teachers should teach. While … How Strict Teaching Prescriptions Can Distract Teachers from What Matters Most
23 June 2025
A NEW Primary Curriculum is Coming… Soon…
Primary Curriculum Reform: A Moment for Renewal, Not Retreat In the ever-evolving landscape of education, change is both inevitable and necessary. Like a pendulum swinging between educational trends, the curriculum is once again being reviewed and this could be a major shift in thinking. England’s primary curriculum is on the cusp of significant reform, presenting … A NEW Primary Curriculum is Coming… Soon…
16 June 2025
The Primary Curriculum – Opportunity and challenge for all?
SEND in Primary School: Supporting Every Learner How do we make sure our Curriculum for SEN really delivers? When we talk about education, the goal is clear: every child deserves the chance to be successful and thrive. For SEND pupils, those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, this means having a school experience that’s not … The Primary Curriculum – Opportunity and challenge for all?
9 June 2025
New Primary Curriculum – The Interim Report says What?
Primary Curriculum Reform: Why We Need More Than Good Intentions The interim report from the Curriculum and Assessment Review (2024) paints a familiar picture. Primary schools are working hard to meet the demands placed upon them. Leaders are making strategic choices, teachers are doing their utmost for children, and across the country, we see real … New Primary Curriculum – The Interim Report says What?
3 June 2025
Twinkl vs. A Thematic Whole-School Primary Curriculum: Go Compare!
Education providers and schools have an abundance of resources available to shape and provide effective learning experiences. Two widely recognised options include Twinkl and the thematic whole-school primary curriculum model. Twinkl is an online educational platform that provides teaching resources, learning materials, and tools for educators, parents, and learners. It offers a wide range of … Twinkl vs. A Thematic Whole-School Primary Curriculum: Go Compare!
28 March 2025
Big Ideas for Young Critical Thinkers: Why Arguments and Reasoning Matter in Primary Schools
“Children are naturally curious” is a phrase that is often heard when discussing or debating learning. Classrooms become places buzzing with curiosity – pupils confidently sharing ideas, asking great questions, and working together to figure things out! That’s what happens when primary children are taught the critical thinking skills of argument and reasoning. At first glance, you … Big Ideas for Young Critical Thinkers: Why Arguments and Reasoning Matter in Primary Schools
27 November 2024
Preparing Students for a Global Future: Perspectives and Interpretations in UK Primary Schools
You don’t need telling the world is changing, and so must our approach to education. In UK primary schools, the curriculum has long fluctuated between different teaching approaches: thematic, single-subject, knowledge-rich, and skills-based. But with pupils facing a rapidly evolving world, where critical thinking skills are fundamental, schools are now asking a vital question: Why … Preparing Students for a Global Future: Perspectives and Interpretations in UK Primary Schools
8 November 2024
Nurturing Creativity within a Knowledge-Rich Primary Curriculum
The Perfect Harmony: Nurturing Creativity within a Knowledge-Rich Primary Curriculum In the realm of education, there has often been a perceived tension between fostering creativity and imparting a knowledge-rich primary curriculum. The dichotomy between the two has been the subject of a longstanding debate, with some arguing that a rigorous focus on knowledge acquisition stifles … Nurturing Creativity within a Knowledge-Rich Primary Curriculum
2 May 2024
Byte-Sized Learners: Navigating the AI Frontier in Primary Education
Ah, the brave new world of education! With each passing day, technology is becoming as much a part of the classroom as the trusty blackboard. One of the most buzzed-about arrivals in this digital revolution is none other than our silicon friend, Artificial Intelligence. But before you picture robots in teacher’s gowns, let’s get one … Byte-Sized Learners: Navigating the AI Frontier in Primary Education
3 November 2023
Our Thoughts on the Model Music Curriculum
Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start #julieandrewstribute. So, what’s the deal with the Model Music Curriculum (henceforth to be known as the MMC)? Well, in their own words when it was published, it is “the Government’s ambitious plan for all children to have access to an excellent music education… … Our Thoughts on the Model Music Curriculum
14 July 2023
“Ofsted don’t like the thematic curriculum approach.” Fact or Fiction?
Since the inception of the latest inspection framework, have you come across the belief that Ofsted don’t like the thematic curriculum approach? Probably. However, what evidence is there for this? How has this idea taken root in so many schools’ psyche? Let’s apply the Key Stage 2 English curriculum objective here: Distinguish between statements of … “Ofsted don’t like the thematic curriculum approach.” Fact or Fiction?
14 March 2023
What’s wrong with too much teaching by PowerPoint?
Have you ever heard of someone called Edward Tufte? Probably not. Well, he wrote a book called ‘Beautiful Evidence’, which has an entire chapter devoted to the pervasive cognitive style of PowerPoint, which is quite worrying and certainly gets you thinking… A subsequently published short article of his was entitled: PowerPoint Is Evil Power Corrupts. … What’s wrong with too much teaching by PowerPoint?
7 February 2023
A Connected Curriculum
When it comes to planning a curriculum there are so many suggested approaches as to how to tailor, personalise, set clear targets, meet national curriculum guidelines, be inspiring and aspirational (the list goes on!) that it can often feel overwhelming and quite frankly, exhausting. You may think you’ve covered all the bases only to find … A Connected Curriculum
9 September 2022
Saville Row or Hand-Me Down?
It is very easy to keep wearing the same old suit, day in and day out because it still fits (sort of!) and feels comfortable but is it really allowing you to feel your best, work your hardest or make you feel the most confident you can be? Or do you keep putting it off … Saville Row or Hand-Me Down?
1 September 2022
The Importance of Significance within Curriculum Design
In a previous blogpost, we looked at powerful knowledge and concluded that this is knowledge with significance. So, now we want to explore further what significance means within the curriculum design process, and how this should be given due consideration. Let’s start with a definition… Significance means “sufficiently great or important enough to be worthy … The Importance of Significance within Curriculum Design
1 July 2022
Curriculum Depth Part 2
In at the Deep End! Part 2 Welcome back! Once again, we are donning our goggles and taking a dive down into the subject of curriculum depth. In our previous blog on the topic, we discussed three important aspects of what is required to ensure curriculum depth. In this part, we will explore another three. … Curriculum Depth Part 2
28 June 2022
Be a Champion for Change!
Change Leaders and Change Managers In our first instalment, the terms ‘lead’ and ‘manage’ were mentioned as key styles, both in their day-to-day roles and through periods of change. This blog will discuss and distinguish between the features of ‘change leadership’ and ‘change management’. Historically, these terms have been used interchangeably to mean the same … Be a Champion for Change!
21 June 2022
A Head’s Role in Leading and Managing Change Within School
Leading and Managing Change within School – Because we want to vs. Because we have to There are usually two routes through which changes occur within a school; external factors or internal ones. It is how the Headteacher leads, guides and supports these changes that will determine how successful these changes will be. This post … A Head’s Role in Leading and Managing Change Within School
8 June 2022
Curriculum Depth Part 1
Curriculum Depth – In at the Deep End! Part 1 Let’s take the analogy that the curriculum is like a swimming pool; we want our pupils to be confident enough to swim both widths and lengths (stamina for learning), starting on the surface, in the shallow end. We also, however, want our pupils to become … Curriculum Depth Part 1
7 June 2022
How to Become an Inspirational Headteacher
How to Become an Inspirational Headteacher in the Current Climate Staff wellbeing and time management are often on the lips of headteachers when asked about their current situation, but what does this really mean? Is it just cakes in the staffroom and extra PPA time? What real impact is their role having on the school? … How to Become an Inspirational Headteacher
17 May 2022
How Can You Personalise Your School Curriculum?
How Can You Personalise Your School Curriculum when it is primarily driven by National Curriculum coverage? Have you considered that even a small shift away from the rigid one-size fits all approach could have a positive impact? Time Problem Trying to cover too much content in too much detail leads to shallow learning, reflected in … How Can You Personalise Your School Curriculum?
10 May 2022
Teaching Children About Conflict
Talking to Pupils About the Russia-Ukraine Crisis The Russia-Ukraine crisis has recently sparked new conversations around how we teach our children about conflict in a way which is sensitive and age-appropriate. Your youngest pupils may not be aware of this particular conflict, but certainly your ‘tweens’ will be hearing and seeing things that they may … Teaching Children About Conflict
1 March 2022
<strong>What is a global curriculum? </strong>
Have you ever been asked to make your curriculum more global? For many years, as the Primary Headteacher of a successful British International School and like Headteachers everywhere, I wanted the very best curriculum for my children. A curriculum that opened their young minds as global citizens, was inclusive, helped them to be more creative, … <strong>What is a global curriculum? </strong>
25 February 2022
Components and Composites
Can you explain the difference between them? If not, let us help you with this simple guide to components and composites! Pupils are on a learning journey made up of incremental steps. These steps are known as components of the curriculum. Our aim as teachers is to help them reach different destinations on that journey. These are … Components and Composites
19 January 2022