Hidden Curriculum

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Formal education is defined by the content of lessons, or the subjects taught in school. In UK state maintained schools these form the National Curriculum, with the core subjects of English, maths and science. Formal education also includes practical skills such as woodwork and sports. The success of formal education is normally assessed by examination and measured by qualifications gained, with clear learning objectives determined and aimed for. In contrast the hidden curriculum is not any actual subject that is taught openly, instead it is what is taught through the process of day to day schooling. The hidden curriculum is made up of the things pupils learn through the experiences of attending school, typically these reinforce the beliefs, …show more content…

It is teacher-pupil interaction and the influence of peers, teaching approved forms of behaviour. It is the organisational hierarchy of the school, in which pupils defer to the teacher who in turn defer to the head of year, with a head and deputy in overall charge. These teach pupils to learn and accept their place and rank in the structure of society. Gender stereotypes are reinforced through boys and girls playing different sports and their encouragement in different subjects, traditionally science based for boys and arts based for girls. Competition and independence are taught through sports as well as the classroom, preparing pupils to enter the job market and compete for better jobs and wages. Conforming to the laws in society is learnt at school through school rules, with punishments for disobedience and rewards for compliance. Streaming children into different groups according to ability prepares children for the different levels of employment in the job market, whereas defining success or failure by grades attained in exams reinforces the acceptance of difference in pay and status. (Haralambos,

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