Bringing the Curriculum to Life: Engaging Learners in the English Education System

Introduction


Part I: Current curriculum context at national level


Chapter 1: Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) and the Curriculum
Oliver Belas
Chapter 2: From Curriculum Theory to Curriculum Practice: Some observations on privilege, power and policy
Steve Connolly


Part II: Alternative/bespoke education


Chapter 3: Alternative Education: the rise in elective home education: issues related to recognition, collaboration and successful partnerships
Amber Fensham-Smith
Chapter 4: Exploring Accessible Curricula for Learners with PMLD
Cathal Butler


Part III: Creative engagement in the curriculum


Chapter 5: Planning and designing a creative Secondary English curriculum
James Shea
Chapter 6: Using culturally responsive pedagogy to improve literacy learning within a supplementary school
Margaret Olugbaro, Janice Wearmouth and Uvanney Maylor
Chapter 7: Oracy, Dialogic Learning and Education for Democracy. Developing an authentic ‘student voice’ in an Eastern Region secondary school
Mike Berrill and Neil Hopkins
Chapter 8: A creative approach to supporting literacy acquisition for a young man with difficulties
Philippa Smith, Janice Wearmouth and Karen Lindley
Chapter 9: The Future of Physical Education is in the Mix: establishing the DJ as a Metaphor for Innovative Curriculum Design
Saul Keyworth and Danny Golding
Chapter 10 Bringing the Physical Education curriculum to life for all children and young people
Paul Sammon and Ian Roberts


Part IV: Making it real


Chapter 11: Real world contexts and teaching
Mieka Harris
Chapter 12: How can Forest School education enhance children’s curricular experiences?
Perry Knight
Chapter 13: Using language learning strategies to transform teaching and learning experiences in mainstream classrooms
Mario Moya


Part V: Learning environment: teacher trainers’, early years teachers’ and child and adult learners’ perspectives


Chapter 14: Starting to see the ‘bigger picture’: ways of developing professional and paraprofessional understandings of behaviour, curriculum and the learning environment
Steve Connolly and Allyson Goodchild
Chapter 15: Bringing the curriculum to life in the Early Years: a consideration of the learning environment
Michelle Sogga and Karen Siddons
Chapter 15: Culturally responsive approaches for children with English as an Additional Language (EAL) in the English National Curriculum: Reflections from personal experiences
Malini Mistry
Chapter 17: How can we ensure that young people and their Special Educational Needs are included in Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) lessons?
Philippa Smith, Janice Wearmouth and Karen Lindley

How can we bring the curriculum to life so that all young people of compulsory school age are fully engaged in their learning and achieve to their maximum?

Professor Janice Wearmouth and Dr Karen Lindley bring together contributions from practising teachers, researchers and academics to answer this question for a range of educational contexts and demonstrate the positive impact that can be achieved on student learning at all levels. 

This edited volume highlights challenges and opportunities within the current English education system. With reflective questions and ideas for teachers to implement in the classroom, this important book bridges the gap between theory and practice and will be invaluable reading for trainee teachers, teacher trainers, qualified teachers and others with an interest in education and the curriculum.

"The intrinsic value of the book is that it seeks to illuminate the discussions surrounding the issues identified, from differing and alternative perspectives in education."
Dr Barry Paraskeva Costas, Senior Lecturer in Physical Education, University of Hertfordshire, UK

"A highly engaging and refreshing look at how a diverse range of learners might be immersed in their learning, this book provides an imaginative and thought-provoking consideration of creative curricula to involve and inspire learners."
Julie Wharton, Senior Lecturer, University of Winchester, UK

"This book does an excellent job of drawing together a wide range of contributions and contexts that collectively put the challenges and opportunities of curriculum centre stage." 
Dr Warren Kidd, School of Education and Communities, University of East London, UK

Janice Wearmouth is Professor of Education at the University of Bedfordshire, UK. 

Dr Karen Lindley is Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Bedfordshire, UK. 

Both editors are experienced teachers and researchers with continuing close links to Education students, trainee teachers, teacher trainers and practising teachers.