ABSTRACT

School and education should not be confused; it is only school that can be made easy. (Anon.)

   To look at different forms of curriculum within schools, which may influence children’s learning

   To identify the hidden curriculum of building space and how this may influence learning

   To identify ways in which these barriers can be challenged by educational professionals

   Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross (2002) have written a lovely children’s picture book about some alien school children who are studying the topic of ‘Earthlets’. Before their visit to Earth, their teacher, Dr Xargle formally instructs his class of aliens about the appearance and habits of these ‘Earthlets’ (human babies) before embarking on their trip. This chapter is rather like that. It involves us stepping back and looking at what goes on in school as if we were completely alien to it. It looks at the curriculum first and then at the buildings and organisation of schools. It builds on a largely sociological perspective to education.