They Behave For Me Does anyone still care about curriculum? With Jon Hutchinson
10 snips
Jan 9, 2026 Jon Hutchinson, Regional Director at the Reach Foundation and former primary teacher, discusses the significance of curriculum reform and early intervention in education. He emphasizes schools as community hubs that can address barriers to learning. Hutchinson also elaborates on the need for a balanced national curriculum and innovative V-levels to accommodate diverse student pathways. The conversation touches on education’s polarization, the role of teachers in curriculum development, and the challenges of online discourse among educators.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
The Charlie 2 Classroom Moment
- Adam recounts calling a disruptive pupil 'Charlie 2' and getting a strong reaction.
- The story illustrates how casual labels can provoke students.
Schools As Civic Anchors
- Schools can act as anchor civic institutions coordinating local services to improve children's lives beyond the classroom.
- Jon Hutchinson argues coherence between institutions often matters more than fixing one failing school.
Guard Curriculum With Teacher Input
- Draft national curriculum content with teacher involvement to prevent overstuffed, impractical programs of study.
- Test drafts against typical curriculum time so requirements fit real classroom schedules.
