Using Lifespace to bring coherence and purpose to a broad and balanced curriculum

With a completely blank slate for education, where would you start? Suggestions abound in the British press regarding what ‘should’ be taught (Parents and Teachers for Excellence, 2018). But whilst we could teach almost anything, we can’t teach everything. Constraints on breadth are inevitable, so coherence is essential. A clear underlying purpose to education could be the most powerful tool for coherence but, most commonly, multiple, equally important goals are identified. For example, the foundation of the National Curriculum for England, Wales and Northern Ireland aimed to prepare pupils for ‘the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life’ (Education Reform Act, 1988), and in 2015, the schools minister identified education’s purpose as economic success, cultural participation and preparation for adult life (Gibb, 2015). On a more global stage, Biesta (2015) has identified a formulation of qualification, socialisation and subjectification. The pro