Focusing on the core subjects of Mathematics, English and Science, the book addresses the political agenda in which the core curriculum takes place, and provides practical information and guidance on teaching the three subjects.

Introduction Series editors’ preface and introduction, Kate Ashcroft, David James; Chapter 1 Common sense and scientific sense, John Lee; Chapter 2 Developing a core curriculum, John Lee; Chapter 3 The National Literacy Strategy: context and consequences, Helen Butcher; Chapter 4 Grammar, spoken and written, in the National Curriculum, Bernadette Fitzgerald; Chapter 5 Working with genres, John Lee; Chapter 6 Mathematics: aims and practices, Ruth Sharpe; Chapter 7 New approaches: the National Numeracy Project, the ‘Numeracy Hour’ and the teaching of mathematics, Ruth Sharpe; Chapter 8 Development of the science curriculum, Gordon Guest, Keith Postlethwaite; Chapter 9 The nature and purpose of primary science, Postlethwaite Keith, Kate Ashcroft, Guest Gordon;