Focusing on the comprehensive school system, this book explores how to achieve its full potential through a unified curriculum and organizational structure. It challenges the educational norms of its time by delving into the connection between educational theory and practical application, offering insights that aim to enhance the effectiveness of schools.
Originally published in 1983. Written by an experienced headteacher and curriculum consultant, this book was written to help schools with the task of planning their whole curriculum - teachers, governors, administrators and students. It provides information on national educational policies of the time, approaches to curriculum planning, and the structures of actual schools. The Department of Education and Science had just issued Circular 6 of 1981, which called upon education authorities, governing bodies, heads and the staffs of schools 'to secure a planned and coherent curriculum within the schools'. The book describes the background to this development; spells out the tasks involved; provides a series of exercises for planning and discussion; and offers ideas, questions and methods. It recognises the diversity of school circumstances, and talks about the vital transition from theory to practice.