Strengthening 'the foundations' of the primary school curriculum. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Duncombe, Rebecca; Cale, Lorraine; Harris, Jo
• Is Part Of: Education 3-13. Volume 46:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 76
• Page End: 88
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Foundation subjects -- teacher learning -- CPD -- communities of practice/learning -- physical education -- primary education; Education -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Education, Primary -- Periodicals; Education, Elementary -- Periodicals; 372.942
• DOI: 10.1080/03004279.2016.1185137
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-4279

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The low status of the foundation subjects (e.g. Music and Physical Education (PE)) in English primary schools is well documented. Using PE as an illustrative example, a thematic analysis of 51 PE trainee students' assignments, based on their perceptions of a two-week experience in a primary school, highlighted a number of areas of concern (e.g. limited/inadequate preparation; insufficient teacher knowledge/confidence; variable/limited subject leadership and non-qualified teachers delivering the curriculum). The possibility of teachers, coaches and other external specialists learning collaboratively with and from each other within a community of practice/learning is proposed as one way of strengthening the foundation subjects within the primary school curriculum.