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This session builds on Heather’s previous exploration of the features of a knowledge-rich curriculum.
She will delve deeper into how both subject specialists and non-specialists can contribute to the development and quality assurance of a knowledge-rich curriculum.
Heather will examine why studying discrete subjects matters, and why it is essential for curriculum designers, and those teaching a subject, to possess not only subject knowledge but also an understanding of the subject’s curriculum journey - how knowledge builds over time within a discipline.
A key focus will be on one of the most significant ways subjects differ: the divide between hierarchical subjects - where later knowledge depends heavily on secure earlier foundations - and cumulative subjects - where knowledge accrues and broadens but may not follow a strict conceptual sequence. Heather will explore key principles of curriculum design: breadth (or scope), coherence, components, disciplinary rigor, and memory - and discuss how these can be thoughtfully applied to different subjects to ensure coherence, depth, and long-term retention.
Heather Fearn
Heather works internationally on curriculum and assessment with Melbourne-based consultancy, Learning First. She was, until recently, Director of Curriculum and Assessment at Ark an English multi-academy trust of 39 schools and she also led on reading for the trust. She previously worked for Ofsted, as Senior His Majesty's Inspector leading the 'Curriculum Unit'.
This unit was a team of subject specialist inspectors responsible for state of the nation subject reports. She contributed to the development of England's last school inspection framework and was responsible for inspector training on curriculum.