The Knowledge-Project Coalition

The Knowledge Coalition is a collaborative project formed by Serpentine Primary School and Greenfields Primary School. The purpose of the project is to address the 'knowledge gap', an often-neglected issue identified by E. D. Hirsch, Jr. (and more recently, Natalie Wexler) as a critical factor in the achievement gap. Hirsch explains the significance of building world knowledge for achieving social equity, emphasising the power of a robust knowledge foundation to empower students, particularly those in low-income communities.

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The coalition has expanded its reach to include two additional schools, Medina PS and Allandale PS, amplifying the impact of this initiative. Together, we have created a rich knowledge and literature-based curriculum that surpass the confines of the Australian Curriculum. 

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Throughout their primary years, students delve into a diverse array of topics, including ancient civilisations, modern history, politics, and Greek mythology. These rich knowledge units are intended to equip students with a broad understanding of the world, enabling them to draw upon this knowledge when engaging with complex texts and topics in High School and beyond.

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In addition to offering extensive knowledge and literature units, we place a significant emphasis on teaching students the art of class discussions. Recognising that this is a distinct skill, we ensure it is taught with the same dedication. To achieve this, we incorporate the 'Habits of Discussion' framework into our curriculum.