4: On curriculum

Curriculum is foundational to everything we do in schools — but what do we actually mean when we say “curriculum”, and why is it so difficult to get right?

In this episode we discuss:

• The different meanings of curriculum, from national and state frameworks to what is actually taught in classrooms
• Why Australian curriculum documents often lack the detail and coherence schools need
• How vague, skills-based content descriptions leave schools doing foundational curriculum development themselves
• Why curriculum development requires deep subject expertise, ambitious thinking and attention to detail
• The importance of shared curriculum ownership and oversight in schools

** One Good Woman **

This episode’s One Good Woman is Christine Counsell, a former history teacher and one of the UK's leading curriculum thinkers.

We discuss Counsell’s work on the importance of subject knowledge and curriculum content, including her argument that decisions about what to teach must come before decisions about how to teach it.

Listen to Christine Counsell on Mind the Gap

** Research mentioned in this episode **

Christodoulou, D. (2016). Making Good Progress? The Future of Assessment for Learning. Oxford University Press.

This book examines the relationship between curriculum, assessment and progression, including the limitations of describing learning through generic skills rather than specifying the knowledge students need to acquire.

Find the book

** Also mentioned **

National curriculum in England: Primary curriculum

Emina discusses the greater specificity of England’s primary curriculum, particularly in English, where expectations include explicit detail about spelling, grammar and foundational literacy knowledge.

Ruth Ashbee — Curriculum: Theory, Culture and the Subject Specialisms

We also discuss Ruth Ashbee’s work on the purposes of school curriculum, including democratic participation, preparation for further learning and the value of knowledge for its own sake.

** Notices **

Leading with Literacy — PETAA Conference

Emina is presenting a session on sustainable curriculum development and leadership at the Primary English Teaching Association Australia (PETAA) conference in Sydney.

Find out more about PETAA

Music in Schools — Victorian Department of Education

Bron gives a shout-out to Music in Schools, a Victorian Department of Education initiative supporting primary teachers to develop their music teaching expertise through mentoring, professional learning and school resources.

Find out more about Music in Schools

** Get in touch **

If you’re enjoying Jones & McLean, we’d love you to follow the podcast and leave us a rating or review. Get in touch at [email protected]