Cox on the Battle for the English Curriculum

The author of this book, Professor Brian Cox, was the architect of the first National Curriculum in English in 1989.

He argues here that the "Cox curriculum" commanded widespread support in schools, yet a political decision to rewrite it was taken in 1992, and the 1995 English Orders subvert that curriculum in many ways.This book continues on the same theme as his earlier book "Cox on Cox", and gives an informed account of the dogma, debates and behind-the-scenes manoeuvrings which have shaped the new curriculum.The book offers a guide to teachers as they implement the new English curriculum in the classroom.

It examines the requirements and recommendations of the curriculum, and considers how it affects the teaching of English.

It looks particularly at the "live" issues of Standard English, the teaching of reading, knowledge about language and grammar, the canon of set authors, multicultural texts and media education.

It concludes that the Cox curriculum continues to offer a viable framework for delivering, and enhancing, the new programmes of study.