Education, Majorism and ‘the Curriculum of the Dead’

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Abstract
Somewhat perversely since John Major replaced Margaret Thatcher as UK Prime Minister ‘New Right’ influences and effects have been more evident than before in government education policy. This paper outlines some of those influences and effects in the areas of curriculum, assessment and pedagogy. These are analysed in terms of a project of ‘cultural restoration’. It is argued that cultural restorationism has a popular appeal to politicians and parents by virtue of its discourse of nostalgia. Thus, Majorism in education is identified with a regressive Victorianism which is disconnected from and set over and against attempts at educational modernisation.

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