A Broad and Balanced Curriculum in Primary Schools - Practical

In this review of A Broad and Balanced Curriculum in Primary Schools the bottom line is clear: this book is a pragmatic guide for primary teachers who want to protect and deliver a genuinely broad and balanced curriculum despite the pressures of testing. Susan Ogier sets out both the arguments for educating the whole child and practical approaches to curriculum design, making this second edition especially useful for early-career teachers and curriculum leads seeking usable ideas rather than abstract policy commentary.

Key Features

• Focus on whole-child education: The book explains why schools should prioritise wider development alongside core subjects to support children's long-term learning and wellbeing.
• Practical classroom guidance: It offers actionable suggestions teachers can apply to maintain breadth in daily planning without sacrificing statutory requirements.
• Discussion of current challenges: Ogier addresses the impact of standardised testing and the narrowing of curriculum time, helping readers identify realistic priorities.
• Curriculum design content: The second edition adds new chapters on curriculum design that guide schools through structuring learning across phases.
• Alternative environments and learning spaces: New material on learning environments gives ideas for using different settings to enrich curriculum delivery and engagement.

Who It's For

This book is best suited to primary classroom teachers, newly qualified teachers, subject leads and school leaders in England who need to reconcile statutory accountability with a broad curriculum. It is particularly valuable for those tasked with curriculum planning or reviewing subject coverage across a whole school.

Those seeking a tightly prescriptive scheme of lesson plans or a textbook limited to assessment mechanics should look elsewhere; this is a reflective and practical guide aimed at informing professional judgement and inspiring wider curriculum thinking.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear emphasis on educating the whole child supports wellbeing and wider outcomes beyond test results.
• Practical, classroom-focused suggestions help teachers implement a broader curriculum within time constraints.
• New chapters on curriculum design and learning spaces make the second edition more useful for subject leads and leaders.

Cons

• The book is discussion-led rather than a plug-and-play scheme, so teachers wanting ready-made lesson sequences may need additional resources.

Specifications

Title	A Broad and Balanced Curriculum in Primary Schools
Series	Exploring the Primary Curriculum
Edition	Second edition (includes new chapters)
Author	Susan Ogier
Primary focus	Broad and balanced curriculum; whole-child education
Includes	Curriculum design and alternative learning environments

Our Verdict

For teachers and school leaders committed to maintaining a broad curriculum, this book offers considered arguments and useful, practical guidance that link policy challenges to classroom practice. It is good value for educators who want thoughtful, applicable ideas to help design and defend a curriculum that educates the whole child.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this edition include curriculum design advice?
Yes. The second edition adds new chapters specifically on curriculum design to help schools structure learning across phases.

Is this a lesson plan pack?
No. The book provides practical guidance and discussion rather than ready-made lesson sequences, so teachers may need supplementary resources for daily planning.

Who will benefit most from this book?
Primary teachers, newly qualified staff, subject leads and school leaders in England looking to balance accountability with a broad curriculum will benefit most.