Bringing the curriculum to life: engaging learners in the English education system

The focus of the edited volume Wearmouth, J and Lindley, K (eds) (2021) Bringing the curriculum to life, Maidenhead: Open University Press/McGraw Hill is clear acknowledgement of the importance of creating curricula that engage learners in their studies at all stages of formal education if they are to achieve levels of which they are capable in schools and colleges. The rich and diverse collection of contributions made in this book by current and previous members of the Institute for Research in Education and colleagues associated with the institute reflect a range of values, assumptions and ideas about how and in what ways different groups and communities may construct, enact and imaginatively extend curriculum within (and sometimes outside) of state-maintained schools at different levels and in different areas of the curriculum. A core intention of this book, is to offer its readership a wider lens through which to revisit and reflect on some of the assumptions that inform the design and delivery of curriculum in practice. Some of the overarching questions and ideas raised foreground the implicit tensions and opportunities connected to the rights of learners, the role of parents, the state and other stakeholders. The inspiration for this book came from the editors’ own experiences as teachers in schools where they realised the overwhelming significance to achievement during the years of compulsory education and to enhanced future life chances of students’ engagement and interest in learning. They were aware that other colleagues in, and associated with, the Faculty of Education and Sport at the University, felt equally strongly about this issue and had carried out important research and publication in this area. The editors were very pleased, therefore, when these colleagues agreed to contribute chapters for this publication.