The 'hidden curriculum' refers to the unspoken or implicit lessons, values, and perspectives that students learn in school that are not part of the formal curriculum.
Within the context of GCSE Sociology, it involves the social norms, attitudes, and expectations that are conveyed through the school environment, teacher interactions, and organisational structure, rather than through explicit teaching. These include behaviours like punctuality, conformity, and competition.
The hidden curriculum plays a crucial role in socialising students, affecting their perceptions of authority, gender roles, and class distinctions, and shaping their attitudes towards wider society. Understanding this concept helps students analyse how education can both reinforce and challenge social inequalities.
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