ABSTRACT
In 1987-8 education was probably more often on the lips of English politicians, in the minds of the English public, and written about by English journalists than ever before. Legislation is under consideration that will sort out the supposed ills of current educational practice, ushering in a new system that will fit English children better to cope in the modern world and better supply the needs of modern society. A National Curriculum is being implemented, and all children will be required to study certain subjects labelled Core and Foundation Subjects (Department of Education & Science 1989). Other subjects will be optional and will have to fight for a proportion of the time allowed for optional subjects. The decision on whether subjects are to be included in the foundation group (and arc therefore deemed to be necessary and relevant) and which arc designated optional (and therefore less relevant, useful, and important) is agitating concerned groups nationwide.
