Breadth and depth in curriculum: Advantages, disadvantages and strategies for balance
Written by: Jackie Greatorex and Martin Johnson
7 min read
JACKIE GREATOREX, PRINCIPAL RESEARCHER, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS AND ASSESSMENT
MARTIN JOHNSON, SENIOR RESEARCHER, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS AND ASSESSMENT
Abstract
In this thought piece, we consider messages from research literature on the relative impact of breadth and depth in curricula at both school and national levels. This debate is important since decision-making in curriculum design should have a robust evidence base that can lead to reliable and generalisable conclusions.
After considering the claims about the relative impact of breadth and depth, we ponder strategies to include both in ‘intended curricula’. We suggest that individual schools might use a T-shaped curriculum to simultaneously incorporate topic breadth as well as the deep exploration of selected topics. At a national level, curriculum developers may prioritise key concepts when making decisions about curriculum content selection. Finally, we highlight the importance of adapting curricula to local
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