TCN Live: Beyond the Canon: How Can Schools Broaden the Curriculum?

Fifty years ago, many English classrooms studied To Kill a Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men. Today, many students still study texts written more than a century ago, while much of the curriculum continues to be shaped by a traditional literary and historical canon. As the National Curriculum undergoes review ahead of the planned 2028 reforms, what knowledge, perspectives and voices should every young person experience in school?

This thought provoking CPD session will explore how schools can begin to answer that question now. Join experienced educators as they discuss whose voices have historically been prioritised, whose stories may be under-represented and how schools can thoughtfully broaden the curriculum while maintaining academic rigour and meeting current curriculum expectations.

From literature and History to Religion and Worldviews and beyond, the discussion will consider how educators can introduce a wider range of perspectives, including women's voices, Black and global perspectives, different cultural viewpoints and under-represented histories. Together, we'll explore how to move beyond tokenistic additions towards curriculum design that encourages curiosity, critical thinking and a richer understanding of the world.

Whether you're reviewing a subject curriculum, selecting new texts or reflecting on the stories and perspectives that shape your teaching, this session will provide practical examples and fresh thinking to help schools broaden their curriculum ahead of the 2028 National Curriculum reforms.

• A deeper understanding of why curriculum breadth matters, exploring how the knowledge, texts and perspectives schools choose to teach shape how young people understand themselves, others and the wider world.

• Practical approaches for reviewing curriculum content, including how to identify missing voices, question established narratives and consider where opportunities exist to broaden perspectives.

• Strategies for broadening the curriculum while maintaining academic rigour, ensuring new perspectives strengthen subject knowledge, critical thinking and disciplinary understanding rather than becoming tokenistic additions.

• Real examples of how schools are evolving their curriculum, including approaches to selecting resources, engaging staff and embedding a wider range of voices and experiences across subjects.

Introduction and Welcome
Claire King: Head of Networks
An introduction to the event and its speakers, including an overview of the key themes that will be explored and important information about what attendees can expect from the session.

Keynote Presentation: Whose Knowledge Matters? Reflecting on the Stories and Perspectives We Teach
This keynote will explore how curricula evolve and how schools decide which knowledge, texts and perspectives young people encounter. It will consider whose voices are represented, where gaps may exist and how schools can broaden perspectives with curiosity, academic ambition and a clear sense of purpose.

Panel Discussion
Our panel will explore how schools can broaden the curriculum while maintaining academic rigour and meeting current curriculum expectations. Panellists will share practical approaches to reviewing content, identifying missing voices, selecting resources and embedding a wider range of perspectives meaningfully across subjects without resorting to tokenistic additions.

Closing Comments and Certificate Link
Claire King: Head of Networks
A summary of the key learning, followed by information about the recording, post-event pack, feedback form and CPD certificate. Attendees can also connect with our sponsor and discover upcoming Curriculum Network events.