What is education and schooling? » The official curriculum - testing, syllabus content and subjects

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

The difference between education and schooling
What makes up the official curriculum
How testing and assessment shape education
The purpose and structure of syllabus content
How subject hierarchies affect educational experiences
The impact of curriculum choices on students' futures

Education vs Schooling: What's the Difference?

When we talk about "going to school," we're actually referring to just one part of education. Let's start by understanding these two key terms:

Key Definitions:

Education: The lifelong process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that happens both formally and informally throughout our lives.
Schooling: The formal, structured system where education takes place in dedicated institutions with trained teachers, following a set curriculum.

📖 Education

Education is broader than schooling. It includes:

Learning from family
Learning from friends
Learning from media
Self-directed learning
Learning through experience

🏫 Schooling

Schooling is more structured. It includes:

Formal classroom teaching
Following a set curriculum
Regular assessment and testing
Certified teachers
Recognised qualifications

The Official Curriculum: What Is It?

The official curriculum is the government-approved plan for what students should learn in schools. It's like a roadmap that guides teachers on what to teach and students on what they need to learn.

Components of the Official Curriculum

The official curriculum has three main parts that work together:

📝 Testing

How student learning is measured and assessed through exams, coursework and other forms of evaluation.

📄 Syllabus Content

The specific knowledge, concepts and skills that students are expected to master in each subject.

📚 Subjects

The different areas of knowledge (like Maths, English, Science) that are taught as separate disciplines.

Testing and Assessment: Why Do We Have Exams?

Testing is a major part of the official curriculum. It shapes how teachers teach and how students learn.

✅ Functions of Testing

Measuring progress: Shows how much students have learned
Setting standards: Creates benchmarks for achievement
Selection: Helps decide who gets access to further education or jobs
Accountability: Holds schools and teachers responsible for results
Motivation: Encourages students to study and learn

💭 Criticisms of Testing

Teaching to the test: Narrowing education to just what's on the exam
Stress and anxiety: Creating pressure on students
Inequality: Favouring certain learning styles and backgrounds
Limited focus: Missing important skills that are hard to test
Label effect: Creating fixed ideas about student abilities

Case Study Focus: High-Stakes Testing

In England, GCSEs are considered "high-stakes" tests because they can determine a student's future educational and career options. Research by the National Education Union found that 82% of teachers believe the current testing system makes school too stressful for students. Some schools now offer mindfulness sessions and stress management workshops specifically to help students cope with exam pressure.

Syllabus Content: What Should Students Learn?

The syllabus outlines the specific knowledge and skills that students need to master in each subject. It's designed by educational experts and approved by examination boards.

How Syllabus Content is Determined

Deciding what goes into a syllabus involves balancing different priorities:

Cultural transmission: Passing on important knowledge from one generation to the next
Economic needs: Preparing students for future employment
Social values: Promoting certain behaviours and attitudes
Political influences: Reflecting the priorities of the government
Academic traditions: Following established subject boundaries and content

Case Study Focus: National Curriculum Changes

The UK National Curriculum has undergone several major revisions since it was introduced in 1988. The 2014 revision placed greater emphasis on "core knowledge" in traditional subjects, with former Education Secretary Michael Gove arguing for a more "rigorous" approach. Critics suggested these changes reflected a particular political view of what knowledge is most valuable, showing how curriculum content can be influenced by political ideology.

Subject Hierarchies: Are All Subjects Equal?

Not all subjects are treated equally in schools. Some are given more time, resources and status than others, creating what sociologists call a "subject hierarchy".

🔝 "Core" Subjects

These subjects are usually mandatory and given more teaching time:

Mathematics
English
Sciences

They're often seen as "academic" and more important for university entrance and careers.

🎨 "Non-Core" Subjects

These subjects may be optional or given less teaching time:

Arts subjects (Music, Drama, Art)
Physical Education
Design and Technology
Citizenship

They're sometimes seen as less academic or "soft" subjects.

Impact of Subject Hierarchies

The way we rank subjects has real consequences:

Resource allocation: "Important" subjects get more funding and better facilities
Career guidance: Students may be steered towards certain subjects based on perceived value
Student self-concept: Students may feel more or less capable based on which subjects they excel in
Social reproduction: Subject hierarchies can reinforce existing social inequalities

The Hidden Curriculum in Subject Choices

Beyond the official content, the way subjects are organised and presented teaches students unspoken lessons about knowledge and society.

Case Study Focus: EBacc and Subject Status

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) was introduced in 2010 as a performance measure for schools. It focuses on GCSEs in English, mathematics, sciences, a language and history or geography. After its introduction, entries for arts subjects declined significantly, with a 35% drop in GCSE entries for design and technology between 2010 and 2018. This shows how government policies on curriculum can directly impact which subjects are valued and taught in schools.

The Future of the Curriculum

The official curriculum continues to evolve in response to changing social needs and technological developments:

Digital literacy: Growing emphasis on technology skills
Environmental education: Increasing focus on sustainability
Mental health: New content on wellbeing and resilience
Global citizenship: Preparing students for an interconnected world
Employability skills: Focus on adaptability and problem-solving

💡 Key Sociological Perspectives

Functionalist view: The curriculum helps society function by teaching needed skills and knowledge.

Marxist view: The curriculum reproduces inequality by teaching different classes different things.

Feminist view: The curriculum can reinforce gender stereotypes through subject choices and content.