ABSTRACT
The class teacher has always been seen at the very heart of British primary education (Harrison and Theaker, 1989; Wragg, 1993; McNamara, 1994). However, an explosion of knowledge in both traditional and new subjects, the use of computers, cross-curricular themes such as health and safety, and the development of personal transferable skills, have all contributed to increasing the complexity of the primary school curriculum. This, coupled with society’s expectations, have made it difficult, if not impossible, for the class teacher to keep up to date. The idea that primary teachers need support no longer seems to be in doubt and the value of delegating curriculum responsibility to subject coordinators has gained momentum as one way of offering this support. In 1986 the House of Commons Select Committee endorsed the role of coordinators in curriculum management and school development. It would appear that there is no longer a place for a teacher whose sole responsibility is his or her class.
