Cracks in the Curriculum
Cracks in the Curriculum explores themes and perspectives missing from or misrepresented in the UK national curriculum.
Beginning in 2016, the programme emerged from conversations with young people navigating the education system, questioning what they were being taught and why. Cracks in the Curriculum brings together artists, educators, students and organisers to create space for critical debate about which narratives are prioritised in schools. Together we ask:
– How might we use imagination and creativity to disrupt the status quo and work towards change in schools?
– How can we create supportive networks for students and teachers to build community?
– How can we adopt healing and trauma informed approaches that support the wellbeing of young people and educators as they navigate an unequal education system?
– How can we amplify young people’s voices to create more equitable classrooms?
Cracks in the Curriculum produces collaborative toolkits for change. There are currently five resources in the series:
– What is it to be Oneself? by artist Jade de Montserrat draws on Afrofuturism and digital culture to support young people in exploring their fluid and multiple identities.
– Sweet Rebellion by artists Jacob V Joyce and Rudy Loewe focuses on the brutal history of British sugar plantations and celebrates the Black activists who rebelled against oppression.
– Countless Ways of Knowing by artist Barby Asante uses a mixtape approach to support conversations about race and racism in the classroom.
– Poetry from the Personal by poetry collective Octavia, asks us to reimagine poetry as a space for diverse personal histories.
– Sex (Re) Education by artist collective Bedfellows presents anti-racist, anti-sexist LGBTQ+ approach to sex and relationships education.
Each resource contains creative exercises, critical questions, an artist-designed poster, and suggestions for further study or support. For printed copies please contact [email protected].
