Ideology, politics and curriculum change: Reflections on school geography 2000

The politics od curriculum change for geography in the 1990's offer a complete contrast with the 1989-91 period. Although geography won its place in the new curriculum, the 'big-bang' of national curriculum development and the influence of 'New Right' ideology proved disastrous for the curriculum framework with which teachers had to work. Throughout the 1990's, a slower process of small-scale but significant change has been underway. The Geography National Curriculum 2000 now provides clear recognition of the key aspects of the subject and consequently a more workable curriculum framework for teachers. However, despite these improvements, geography has been marginalised in primary schools and it is rapidly losing status in the changing 14-19 curriculum. this article examines the complex interplay between the school curriculum requirements and national status, identifying the existence of a strong community of geography educators at all levels as a crucial factor in fighting curriculum battles. Recognition of the different ideologies affecting the geography curriculum since 1970 allows us to understand the socially constructed nature of the school curriculum, to explain our recent curriculum history and to identify strategies for the future.