General agreement and confidence in the continental curriculum manifests itself in the text books used. Because continental educational systems have secured a common view on what should be taught, a great deal of thought and money has been committed to the development of text books which are of the highest quality. Texts of a similar quality are simply not available to UK children. Commercial pressures within the UK gives our publishers the incentive to develop incomplete texts, encouraging schools to buy an expensive range of books rather than just one set. They are well placed to support pupils at home as they have direct access to the content of the curriculum in considerable detail.
Continental children are able to complete unfinished work at home.
Within the UK system, exercise books are often littered with incomplete work. The excuse most commonly used is that children do not have their own text books. Continental pupils can see the curriculum spread out in front of them. They are able to see the topics they will explore next and look back at the work they have already completed. This clearly helps children, parents and teachers establish a sense of continuity and progression.