Towards a holistic education: Inclusive curriculum design for student growth

Perspective Article

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Published on: May 19, 2025

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STEPH HILL, ECT 1, SPRINGFIELD JUNIOR SCHOOL, UK DAVID KERSHAW, SENIOR LECTURER IN EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF DERBY, UK In modern education, the imperative for an inclusive curriculum is undeniable. An inclusive curriculum ensures that all students feel valued, represented and equipped to engage critically with their learning and the wider world. However, traditional educational systems often fall short, privileging dominant cultural narratives and a conscious or subconscious overlooking of the contributions and needs of marginalised groups. This perspective piece explores how a curriculum with an inclusive approach – grounded in representation, critical thinking and student agency – can address these gaps. The current UK National Curriculum: A barrier to inclusivity? The UK National Curriculum has faced significant criticism for its failure to meet the needs of all students. This issue is multifaceted, with concerns about curriculum narrowing and an overemphasis on test prep

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Towards a holistic education: Inclusive curriculum design for student growth

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