Curious Curriculum

Before becoming Director of Education for The Olympus Academy Trust, a cross-phase multiacademy trust in north Bristol, Claire Banks was a head teacher for nine years in an innercity primary school. Throughout her career she has been interested in social and emotional learning and school climate, which has led to her work on leadership culture. Claire now works on curriculum design and school improvement in a system leadership capacity, offering school-to-school support to school trusts. Her passion for succession planning for the profession has led to her coaching and mentoring on aspiring heads and women in leadership programmes. Mick Waters is best known as former Director of the Curriculum at the QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority) where he gained an heroic reputation amongst teachers whilst both consulting, advising and explaining the new curriculum; making it relevant and meaningful for professionals working directly with children and young people. A former Headteacher, Mick is passionate about the role of education in improving life chances for pupils and is still very much involved with teaching and learning. He is the President of the Curriculum Foundation and a charismatic speaker who pushes the boundaries to improve learning and make schools better. One of the UK's leading educational mentors brings you the book you have been waiting for!

This is a powerful, hard-hitting book about how we ensure that the curriculum truly inspires curiosity and challenge in primary-aged learners. Alongside beautiful illustrations and inspiring stories of practice, there is a strong undercurrent that cuts across complacency. With dialogic pedagogy at the heart, this text seeks to explore how the highest standards can be achieved within and through foundation subjects - standards that can never be achieved via formulaic lessons. The authentic wisdom of these authors really packs a punch. Not to be missed.Alison Peacock