Knowledge and the Future School ― Curriculum and Social Justice

Written at a time of uncertainty about the implications of the English government's curriculum policies, Knowledge and the Future School engages with the debate between the government and large sections of the educational community. It provides a forward-looking framework for head teachers, their staff and those training teachers to use when developing the curriculum of individual schools in the context of a national curriculum.

While explaining recent ideas in the sociology of educational knowledge, the authors draw on Michael Young's earlier research with Johan Muller to distinguish three models of the curriculum in terms of their assumptions about knowledge, referred to in this book as Future 1, Future 2 and Future 3. They link Future 3 to the idea of 'powerful knowledge' for all pupils as a curriculum principle for any school, arguing that the question of knowledge is intimately linked to the issue of social justice and that access to 'powerful knowledge' is a necessary component of the education of all pupils.

Knowledge and the Future School offers a new way of thinking about the problems that head teachers, their staff and curriculum designers face. In charting a course for schools that goes beyond current debates, it also provides a perspective that policy makers should not avoid.

Michael Young is Emeritus Professor at the Institute of Education, University of London, UK. His recent books include Knowledge, Expertise and the Professions (edited with Johan Muller, 2014), Implementing National Qualification Frameworks (edited with Stephanie Allais, 2013) and Bringing Knowledge Back In (2008).
David Lambert is Professor of Geography Education in the Department of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment, Institute of Education, University of London, UK. He is former Chief Executive of the Geographical Association, UK.
Carolyn Roberts is Head Teacher, Thomas Tallis School, UK.
Martin Roberts is Consultant to The Prince's Teaching Institute and former Head Teacher, The Cherwell School, UK.