RETEACH HISTORY S03E05 - Will Bayley-Watson and Paula Worth on Navigating the Complexities of Curriculum Design

In this episode, our host Carmel is joined by Will Bailey-Watson and Paula Worth to explore the complexities of curriculum design and crafting inquiry questions in history education. Drawing on their contributions to a new teaching guide, the discussion covers the use of metaphors in curriculum planning, the challenges of balancing content and engagement, and the importance of teacher agency. Practical strategies and personal experiences highlight the ongoing, collaborative, and creative nature of designing meaningful history curricula that inspire both teachers and students.Highlights Why curriculum design is never finished and why that’s a strength.How metaphors like the chef, the architect, or the TV producer help teachers think creatively about planning and sequencing lessons.Paula Worth on avoiding “dodgy questions” and crafting inquiries that truly puzzle and engage students.The challenge of keeping inquiry design rooted in real historical scholarship.Why teacher creativity and choice are essential and worth fighting for.Resources & LinksReteach Resources: Free classroom materials, curriculum ideas, and subject knowledge support: reteach.org.ukThe Whitechapel murders of 1888 from the victims’ perspective Written by Will Bailey-Watson.Meanwhile Elsewhere – Curriculum design platform founded by Will Bailey Watson. Books discussed:A Practical Guide to Teaching History in the Secondary School (2nd edition, Routledge, 2025)Who this episode is forHistory teachers at every career stage, department leaders, ITT trainees and anyone interested in strengthening history education in schools.📚 For full access to tools, ideas and support: Visit ⁠reteach.org.uk⁠🔔 Follow us on ⁠X⁠, ⁠BlueSky⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠ or ⁠Instagram