Book excerpt: This is a must-read for early career teachers (ECTs), focusing on the role of the ECT in terms of school curriculum design and implementation. It explores the topics surrounding curriculum that those in training or ECT induction are likely to encounter and need to understand, and offers a range of practical and critical strategies and approaches to curriculum design. It begins with examining the history of the core ideas around curriculum, including educational philosophy and concepts, before moving on to planning, reflection and principled intent and implementation. It also delves into the various roles of those involved in curriculum design. This is an essential text for ECTs as curriculum is a key aspect of the Core Content and Early Career Frameworks. It draws on real-life enactments and models to help those in their early stages understand their role in curriculum implementation, especially in relation to the Ofsted focus on the quality of education and the role of all teachers as professionals. Most importantly, this book recognises curriculum as the beating heart of any strong educational offer.