Hi there, and welcome to my corner of the internet! If you are interested in the story behind my book, you've come to the right place! Let me start by saying what a joy it is to finally see the fruits of my labour in bookstores, Amazon and the Routledge website. I still can't believe it.
Having the time and space to write Simplexity has been a privilege; I've been lucky to have excellent colleagues and family who have supported me. But after 30-plus years of teaching, advising, building a curriculum business and writing several commercial curriculums, it finally felt like it was time to put down the processes I follow for others to share.
The Struggle Between Complexity and Simplicity
Let's face it—designing a curriculum for a primary school is no small feat. There's always this push-and-pull between keeping things simple enough to be effective and rigorous enough to meet educational standards. We also need to make sure that whatever we design meets the diverse needs of all the children we teach.
In its inception, it was clear that this book needed to be practical, teacher-friendly, and, most importantly, something that respected the complexity of designing a curriculum, while aiming to simplify the planning and development process.
Why Simplexity?
The word 'simplexity' captures the heart of what I want to convey: that sweet spot where simplicity and complexity coexist. Curriculum development is inherently complex, but it is possible to simplify the path forward without stripping away the depth and richness. This notion of simplexity became my guiding principle, and I set out to create a book that could bring this concept to life in a way that any teacher could pick up and use.
Writing for the busy teacher
I've always felt that much curriculum development literature leans into high-level theory, and while that's valuable, teachers need resources grounded in reality. Undoubtedly, you’re balancing dozens of tasks daily and having practical tried and tested guidance is a godsend for many teachers, subject and school leaders.
Therefore, Curriculum Simplexity had to be practical—a toolkit for busy educators who want meaningful guidance without a mountain of jargon.
I wrote it with an obvious goal: to create a book that felt like a conversation, a friendly voice in a field that sometimes feels overwhelming. Every chapter is packed with actionable steps, relatable examples, and ideas to help you see the bigger picture without getting lost in the details.
My Passion for Primary Education
The primary years are where the magic happens. It's a time when children are curious, eager to learn, and open to new ideas. Writing a curriculum book specifically for primary education felt right because, at this age, learning experiences should be both foundational and inspiring. I wanted to help teachers create curriculums that nurture young learners' minds and hearts, setting them up for a lifetime of discovery, not just one where knowledge is imparted from adult to child without meaningful experience.
It was also important to highlight the important role of pedagogy and its role in underpinning any curriculum. So much of Simplexity is dedicated to the crucial role between what we teach and how we teach it.
Who is this book for?
Simplexity is dedicated to busy teachers, subject, school and subject leaders wherever they are in the world. Although, primarily focused on the English educational system, its principles and examples can be used by home schoolers, education lecturers, students and those teaching or leading curriculum development in international schools.
The Journey Continues
I wanted this book to be a guide, not a prescription, so every reader can make it their own. It’s about giving teachers the tools and confidence to say, ‘This is what my learners need, and I have the skills to bring that to life.’
Writing Curriculum Simplexity has been an incredible journey. It’s been rewarding to know that teachers are finding it helpful, and it’s deeply fulfilling to see educators embracing the idea of Simplexity.
There’s a joy in teaching that I hope this book helps keep alive—bringing out the best in our children and ourselves without being weighed down by complexity.
Thank you for sharing this journey with me. I hope Curriculum Simplexity brings you clarity, confidence, and maybe even a bit of joy as you shape the future of young learners.
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