Managing the National Curriculum: Some Critical Perspectives (British Educational Management & Administration Society)

This book examines the implications of the 1988 Education Reform Act in respect of the National Curriculum including core subjects, foundation subjects, attainment targets and the national arrangements for the assessment and testing of pupils. It covers the implications of marrying the national curriculum requirements to other major curriculum initiatives (TVEI, GCSE, CPVE, AS levels) and will draw comparisons with some European countries. The management of the curriculum will be looked at from a number of standpoints: primary head, secondary head, local authority adviser, chief education officer, HMI, school governor and parent. The book examines the impact of the changes on the minds of those who have to run the schools, revealing their assumptions and strategies as they are about to embark on adjusting their own school's curriculum to the national requirements. It illuminates some issues for headteachers and others who will have to implement the changes and also looks at Local Education Authorities whose role will change not merely in the period of implementation, but subsequently as they act as regulatory bodies of the new system.