Very balanced view Steve. I agree with what you say.

Just before the implementation of the National Curriculum, I was invited to attend a Conference about it. After a few talks, we were split into groups for discussion. I related an experience I had had regarding a haggis:-
My class (10 year-olds) was learning about food around the world (and food shortages/poverty/ diet etc) I brought in a haggis for them to sample. We then discussed the ingredients, and how it used offal and oatmeal, available to the Scots crofters, and so on. My point was that in a strait-jacketed Curriculum and timetable, there was no place for a haggis. No opportunity for spontaneous learning. If haggis wasn't mentioned in the Schedule, it was impossible to have it.
An Inspector consigned to our group seemed to like my Haggis Theory, and later I found haggises referred to quite a bit in various literature concerning the National Curriculum. It did make me smile...