ABSTRACT
How far is it true that primary teachers lack confidence in teaching the full primary curriculum? As part of the Leverhulme Primary Project, two national surveys were carried out immediately after the 1988 Education Act and two years later, with 901 and 433 teachers responding respectively. Perhaps unsurprisingly at a time of rapid curriculum change, the results showed most teachers uncertain about certain curriculum areas, especially those subjects with newly published programmes of study. This chapter also shows the ways in which experienced teachers went about teaching a topic for the first time, when they felt uncertain about their own subject knowledge in that area. It suggests the need for sound initial and in-service training across curriculum areas, but also the need for support easily accessible within the school, from either a subject specialist on the staff or a local authority advisory teacher. It also shows, however, the commitment of primary teachers to extend their knowledge and skills to meet the needs of their pupils. In what ways might schools respond best to this commitment while also making best use of subject specialists on the staff?
