ABSTRACT
The analysis of curriculum making at Claymore school shows, like Arnwell and Brightling, a strong theme of student enjoyment. Claymore is an 11–18 girls’ comprehensive school in the same inner-London borough as Arnwell High and Brightling School. Student enjoyment is portrayed as influencing both how geography is taught and what geography is taught. A student ‘enjoyment’ theme appears linked to the geography teachers’ interest in ‘student voice’ because students’ needs, interests and preferences are used in both curriculum planning and curriculum enactment. The strain on the ‘freedom’ narrative increases given that the Topic assessment tasks must supply data to school senior management to show student progress. In visits to the school, humour and informality were noticeable features of the department, and particularly of Mat’s manner. The themes of freedom, trust and informality in the department’s curriculum making are also part of Mat’s personal curriculum making story.
