Introduction

This chapter describes a study of various aspects of the curriculum in small English primary schools. By small we mean schools which typically have not more than 100 pupils covering the age range 5 - 11 and not more than four teachers including the head. The chapter considers the curriculum, the behaviour of pupils and teachers, and examines the background of those who work in small schools. In general, it may be said that the findings do not support many of the gloomy predictions which have been made about the quality of staff in such schools and the performance of the pupils. As demands on primary schools increase, in the light of the government's proposals on the National Curriculum, however, it is likely that practice in large schools will change considerably and this will pose new challenges to those responsible for administering and teaching in small schools.